Reflections 11/24/2020: It is fun watching Roo develop a sense of object permanency… “the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or otherwise sensed.” Just because an object is out of sight doesn’t mean it is gone for good. It is a key concept in helping young ones deal with “separation anxiety” since they can grasp the concept of their loved ones returning after an absence. Roo’s first trauma in having me leave him in the car for a quick run into the Goodwill (does such a quick trip exist?), resulted in a loud speaker announcement in the store that someone was mistreating their puppy by leaving him in a car all by himself! He was barking and crying uncontrollably! (Perfect weather. Windows cracked. Comfortable bed on board!) I had to sheepishly sneak out of the store and creep up to my car so as not to be arrested for puppy abuse! My return, and subsequent leavings and returns have, over time, established a solid base of “object permanency” for little Roo. Voila! Separation anxiety (mostly) gone! (ASPCA no longer on my tail!) As we mature in our love relationship with You, Lord, this same “object permanency” needs to take root in our walk of faith. Sometimes You are indubitably present, but sometimes mysteriously absent. Yet You still exist even when our human senses can’t zero in on Your thereness with us! As this trust of Your continued existence and faithfulness to return, builds over the course of our lives, faith roots, buds and blossoms! And eventually creates a David who can face a Goliath, or a Daniel who prays his way courageously into and out of a lion’s den! Or a Roo who knows his mommy loves him enough to return to him!