2006-11-10 - Theology Lessons I Have Learned from Dogs

Please note: Due to technical difficulties and a family medical situation (all is well as of this afternoon), the next installment of my Basic Beliefs Series has been postponed until 11/17/06. In the meantime I pray that God will touch your hearts with this devotional from 1999.

Since I was five years old, I have been a "dog person." Through the years I have almost always had a pet dog -- a total of eight. I would like to share with you what three of them have taught me.

1. Champ

   Champ was the faithful, gentle Collie I had as a teenager. I loved that dog, but I didn't show him often enough. One day I came back from a date, to find his little lifeless body in my parents' front yard. I felt so bad for not being there when he left this Earth. I had such regret that I had not shown him more appreciation when he was alive. Never again would I take for granted or "leave things hanging" in a relationship. "Champ" taught me that we should show people and pets, while we have the opportunity, what they mean to us. He taught me to appreciate every moment of life as a gift to be treasured.

   (Eph 5:15-16 NNAS) Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

2. Ralph

   Ralph was a Cocker Spaniel who was a member of the family for 10 years. When he was at the beach, he liked to chase crabs and chomp their succulent little legs off. But they didn't make it easy on him. He would sit literally for hours sometimes, waiting for them to pop out of their holes. He never tired of waiting. Ralphie taught me that if something is important, it is worth working persistently, and waiting patiently, for as long as it takes. Like the persistent widow, the words "giving up" were not in his vocabulary.

   (Luke 18:1-8 NNAS) Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, "In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me legal protection from my opponent.' For awhile he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, 'Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.' And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?

3. Pierre

   Three years ago, we adopted Pierre. Pierre is a Brittany / Cocker mix, and an excellent hunter. His hunting acumen impresses even my father, a hunter of over 50 years. Pierre has the most accurate nose and eyesight I have ever seen in a dog. Sometimes he will gaze far down the road and start barking furiously. I don't see anything yet, but I have full confidence that there is someone or something there. I know that his vision is far better than mine is. Pierre reminds me that even when we can't see it happening, God is at work and we should trust Him. Just as eventually a cat / deer / fox / rabbit will appear on the horizon, vindicating Pierre's barking, in time we will see what God was up to in our lives.

   (1 Cor 13:12 NNAS) For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.

We think sometimes that we are doing dogs a favor, when we take care of them. But they often "give" back to us. Sometimes the best theology comes from God's little creatures.

Dear Lord, thank You for making a textbook out of everything in our lives, including our pets. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Jan

cfdevjan@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org