Gospel truths of a dog owner

Whaddya want?

Any dog-owner can attest to the fact that we all learn from our dogs. Cats will probably laugh at that statement – how could anyone learn from a dog. But you know what God through the apostle Paul said: “Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Coritnhians 1:20) So I have paid attention to the humble life of my dog and have tried to glean wisdom from what I see there. It is this that I share with you today.

His original owner called him Bobby. At 8 months he became Lyuba when he went to our sister, Willemien. It was there, in a house where his owner could barely hear anything, that he learned to bark at telephones. But now that she is 94, he is with us – and we call him Chester.

Chester is very attentive. As soon as you move he will be on his feet, wondering what he can do. Even when he is sleeping, he has an eye open, and ear cocked for any clue as to what he might need to do for you.

And he is willing to do anything! He will run around the table three times, shoving the carpet to the side and bumping into anything along the way. He will speed to your feet and wag his tail in anticipation of your order, sweeping any coffee cups from the coffee table, dropping hairs in anyone’s waiting tea cup.  He is ready!

When you talk to him, he will listen attentively, cocking his head. And if you are telling him that he did something wrong, he will dip his sad eyes in seriousness and await your command. For that is what he wants to hear. “What can I do for you?” he says clearly. He has no attention for anything other than what YOU want. The very first thing that he wants to do is whatever you want him to do.

I know that Jesus used a different picture, but the lesson is the same: Food, drink, clothes and the rest – nothing is as important as knowing the will of God.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

Even that last part is something Chester understands. When his day is done, he will contentedly roll himself up in his basket and snore. What am I saying – he will even do this in the middle of the day! But he is always ready to do his master’s will. Now that is something to learn.