On Dogs and Grace

I am convinced that God made dogs to enable us to see grace from the grace-giver's perspective, rather than our usual position as a recipient of grace. At our house we have a new canine addition, a mixed-breed (mostly lab) nine week old pup named Bob. His older brother, Matthias, is a four year old dog with so many bloodlines that we figure he must be like the original dog "kind" that padded after Noah when he disembarked from the ark.

I know that not everyone cares much for dogs, but when I discover somebody is a "dog person," I must confess that gives them character points in my book. It speaks of a certain generosity of spirit, an inclination not to take things (including oneself) too seriously, and a sense of humor.

So what does living with dogs teach us about God's grace towards us?

He loves us even when we're yucky. There's a puppy sleeping on my feet right now. Before bounding in here and asking to join me on the leather sofa, he had been, according to the water-loving dictates of his lab genes, in the stream. He stinks a bit. There is a wet, gritty sensation beginning to run off the dog and seep between my toes. As he lies there dreaming of vanquishing the big dog in a game of pull, he has no idea how undesirable he is. Aren't we like that before God? Sometimes, perhaps, we have an inkling of our yuckiness before Him, but we don't know the half of it. Yet when we come before Him, He welcomes us anyway.

He works on just a few problems at a time. Right now we are focusing on getting Bob trained to do his toileting outside. We are also working at training him to come when called and to teach him the meaning of the word no. We are saving other things for another day. Later he will learn to sit and stay, to catch the ball, and walk politely on the leash. He doesn't know he needs to learn these things, but we do. We will teach him a few things at a time because that's all his little brain can handle. So it is with us. God gives us what we can handle and no more, as He moves us forward and reshapes us in the image of Christ.

He knows what we want and need better than we do. Matthias and Bob think they want more people food and less dog food. They would prefer to do without those vaccinations the vet gives them. Matthias doesn't understand why we won't let him go outside and chase that skunk he has spotted in the back yard. What is best for them is not always what they would choose, nor what would make them happiest at this moment. We also think we know best what we want, but God knows better, and gives us every perfect gift at the perfect time.

He loves us even when we forget to be grateful. Matthias and Bob go to their dishes, expecting to find them full of food as usual. They are. They eat. They think little of it. So we are before God. Of course there's food in the refrigerator and air to breathe and a roof over our heads. And God is pleased to provide for us, even when we forget to say thanks.

He welcomes us back even when we've been away for a very long time. Matthias sleeps the afternoon away on his bed upstairs. After several hours he suddenly remembers me, decides he needs some petting, and presents his head in my lap. We are like that. Too long we neglect the Word and prayer, and yet when we remember God, He is there willing to spend time with us.

He doesn't complain about how much trouble we are. When Bob finishes his nap, I will have to wipe down the sofa. Because we have dogs we have messes to clean up, vet bills to pay, and we have to take walks when they need them rather than when we want them. We don't point this out to the dogs. They wouldn't understand anyway. We don't mind, either, because we find enough pleasure in them to make it all worthwhile. We have no idea how much providential care God takes of us to save us, provide for us, protect us, and keep us on our way. Yet He does it because it pleases Him to do it, and He never makes us feel that we aren't worth the trouble.

I will never fully understand the extent of God's grace toward me. Yet, at my feet is a little, warm, wet, furry object lesson that paints a dim picture of how much I need it.

Comments

[Res Ipsa]

Nice post.

By the way, don't forget what "dog" backwards spells.

I read about that in the Bible Code.

[Molly]

I just happened to click on your site from the PCA blogroll and as soon as I saw that you were a dog person, I knew I'd be back! My family has 3 dogs, and we constantly delight in how God teaches us, sanctifies us, and grants us grace through them.

[jim adams]

I wrote this note to a friend long before I read THe BIBLE CODE,
I believe that Adam had a dog. I believe that as God made the animals to pass before Adam to be named, a dog bounded up to Adam with it's tongue lolling out the side of it's mouth and a look on it's face that said " MAN IT'S GREAT TO BE ALIVE."
I believe Adam said I'm taking you home with me and I will call you dog.
for dog is god spelled backwards you see.

[Jen]

Dory:

I had to laugh out loud when I visited your blog this morning. This past Saturday, I had just said to Dave that a certain magazine should do a complete issue on...drumroll please....dogs. And then I visited your blog and what did I see but an article on dogs. Too funny!

I actually think that a variety of articles written on dogs and their owners would be interesting to read. I got started thinking in this direction when I was waiting at a stop sign this past Saturday, and a truck pulled past me with two little white, floppy-haired mutts hanging their heads and tongues out the driver's window. I couldn't help thinking, "Why do we take our doggies in cars with us?" It certainly isn't for the exercise. I came to the conclusion that we take them with us because we love to make sure they have fun in life. Not so unlike our God. He blesses us with life lessons that grow us, but that isn't all he does. He created a world with vibrant colors and interesting sights and sounds...all for our enjoyment. He's intent on growing us spiritually...AND he delights to bring us joy just for the sheer pleasure of it.

As I type, my own little golden retriever is sitting by my side with his head in my lap. Everytime I try to type, he gently at first, then more insistently if I ignore him, pushes his nose up against my arm as if to say, "I'm here. Did you forget about me?"

And I wonder how often our God does things that are designed to say to us, "I'm here. Did you forget about me?"

Dogs are definitely gifts from above.

Jen

[Teem]

We don't have a dog, largely because our lives are too busy to care for one properly. At least that's what I say, my wife may say differently.
But I like dogs. And it seems to me dogs know that. Animals in need of grace respond to grace givers. Awareness of my great need for grace helps me to respond to the Great Grace Giver.

[Andrea]

What a unique approach to an illustration of grace through a dog-lover's eyes. I love it! My own labrador is constantly giving me lessons about grace and forgiveness.

[Rita]

It is amazing what we can learn from God's less analytical creatures. One of the things I am reminded of often with my dogs (and cat)is their tremendous ability to forgive.

[cwv warrior]

Hey Dory! You can chalk up some character points for me! Sunny IS our family. She's got the spunk, playfulness, appreciation for good food, Mom's protective instincts, mercy, and need for attention that we can all relate to and do. We "talk" for her so that some of each of our personalities is melded into hers. Dogs have soul. Randy Alcorn, author of HEAVEN, gives a pretty good argument for seeing our pups in our eternal Home. Talk about joy!

[Tom Jackson]

"Every dog has found its god, and worships him with its tail."

--- H. L. Mencken (quoted, possibly inaccurately, from memory)

Just be sure to keep them away from the cellos.

[Milton Stanley]

Sweet article, Dory. I wrote about it at my blog. Peace.

[Kathleen Dalton]

Thanks for the article, Dory. Two weeks ago I had to say goodbye to Max, my Golden Retriever. We had been inseparable for 11 years, and I wondered how I would walk through it. I put off taking him to the vet, knowing that I probably would return alone. I did. But I was pleasantly surprised a few days later that I was left not with unbearable grief, but with a whole scrapbook of pleasant memories. Although I long for that sense that he is sleeping beside my desk as I write, it's so comforting to realize the LORD of all creation gave me such a great dog simply for my pleasure. Yes...a perfect picture of His grace.

[Kathryn Judson]

I've linked to this at my blog. Thanks for writing it.

[Sheldon]

We just put down our yellow lab last week. She had colon cancer and was in pain and depressed. Although we only had her for 6 yrs she became a true family member. Two days before her passing I think she was aware of her coming departure to heaven. At 4 in the morning we saw her sitting outside with a look on her face that reflected that she was thinking about her life with us and the coming change. When she went to the vet we went also. And though we all cried as did the vet she remained in a very peaceful state and offered no resistence.