Friend, there are times when we all need to be alone. Or, as some people might say, "have some space". But for most of us the times of greatest happiness and meaning are shared moments, moments when we feel that someone's heart beats with ours. So that's what I want to share with you today, the fact that no matter what is happening in your life at present, Jesus knows exactly how you feel!

Sometime ago I read where a young boy went into a pet-shop looking for a puppy. The shop owner showed him a box of new-born puppies, and for a long while the boy just looked at the dogs. Then he picked each one up, examined them and put them back in the box. After several minutes, he walked back to the owner and said, "I picked one out. How much do they cost?" After the man had told him the price, the boy promised to be back in a few days with the money. "Don't take too long," the owner cautioned, "because puppies like this sell quickly." When he heard this, the boy turned around, and with a knowing smile said, "I'm not worried. Mine will still be here."

After he left the pet-shop, the boy went to work mowing lawns and cleaning yards. He worked hard and saved his money and after a few weeks he had saved enough money to buy the dog. He then returned to the pet-shop, walked up to the counter and placed a pocket full of crumpled notes on the top of it. Then the shop owner sorted and counted the cash. After confirming that it was the correct amount, he smiled at the boy and said, "All right son, you can choose your puppy now." With that, the young boy walked over, reached into the back of the box and pulled out a skinny dog with a lame leg and started to leave. When he did that, the shop owner stopped him and said, "Don't take that dog, he's crippled. He'll never run with you. He can't fetch a ball. He can't play. Why don't you get one of the healthy dogs?"

After the shop owner had spoken, the boy replied, "No thank you, this is exactly the kind of dog I've been looking for." As the boy turned to leave, the shop owner started to speak again, but then he became silent. Suddenly he understood. Because extending from the bottom of the boy's trousers was a brace-a brace for the boy's crippled leg.

Friend, if we were to ask the question, why did the boy want that dog? I think the answer would have to be, because he knew how it felt. And he knew it was very special!

So today, I want you to think about this story for a moment. And then ask yourself, what did Jesus know that enabled Him to love people as He did? The answer is very simple! You see, Jesus knew how the people He met felt and He knew they were special. I hope you never forget that, because Jesus knows how you feel. Perhaps, right now, you're under pressure at work? Well, Jesus knows how you feel. Perhaps you've got more to do than is humanly possible? The truth is so did Jesus. It may be that you have children who make a chaos out of your dinner hour? So did Jesus. Or perhaps people take more from you than they give? Well, Jesus understands, because that's exactly what happened to Him during His life on earth. Perhaps your teen-agers won't listen to you? Or your students won't try? Or it may be that your employees give you blank stares when you tell them what you want done? Believe me friend Jesus knows exactly how you feel!

The wonderful truth is, however, that you are precious to Him. So precious, that He became like you so that you would come to Him. And, just like the young boy in the story I shared with you earlier, Jesus picked you out. And, just like that young boy, Jesus paid a great price to take you home.

Friend, many of life's burdens are too heavy for us to carry. But when Jesus takes hold of our life, the burden becomes light enough to handle. Amazingly, He offers each of us His friendship. A friendship which makes every burden bearable, as He brings us into a wonderful relationship with our loving heavenly Father!

Perhaps, having read what we've been privileged to share with you today, you're saying to yourself, "I genuinely desire to have a deeper friendship with Jesus." If so, we invite you to accept our FREE booklet titled, "Need a Friend?" This booklet is yours for the asking. Just write to Discovering A BETTER LIFE,P.O. Box 1540, Albany WA 6331 E-mail us at: abl-alb@omninet.net.au