For Dog Lovers

I have a friend that I simply cherish. He is always wanting my attention. He always needs the assurance that I am watching him and needs that extra pat on the back. For some, this may seem tiring, but for me as a caregiver type of guy, I love it. When we go on walks, he takes a few steps in front of me and looks back to make sure I am still with him, then he turns to see what’s ahead. When I come into a room, he is glad to see me. He is watching my every move. When I grab the walking leash he knows what’s about to happen and gets very excited. When I come to the back door with the pitcher of water to fill his bowl he knows what’s up and turns back to look off the porch over his kingdom in our backyard. He comes to my side and looks up at me with his big brown eyes and just stares and, as an added bonus, he puts his paw in my hand. He is a constant joy in my life. He is glad when I go down to the kennel in the morning. I pat my chest and he places his paws on my chest. We do this “bear hug” thing, and I rub his back, neck, and ears. He knows that I will take care of him and protect him…he is my buddy. When we play ball he gets “worked up” and perches on his back legs with his front legs/paws gesturing his excitement toward me. He is a joy to me.

I thought about how I experience Henry and pondered, “how does God experience me?” What if I saw and treated God like Henry treats me. What if I got all excited when I see Him and His workings? What if I walked daily and looked back to see if He is watching me. What if I went to Him throughout the day, put my head in His lap, looked up at him, and He rubbed my ears, face, and back. All of this is metaphorical thinking of course (don’t try this at home). The Lord does refer to us as sheep though, and dogs are much smarter than sheep – there’s a thought! Think about a “bear-hug” with God…haha! “Lord, don’t squeeze too hard.” I don’t know how this lands on you but it seems very loving and kind the way that He loves me. His lovingkindness draws us to Him. If I could love God more like Henry loves me, I think I would feel a little closer to Him.

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you with his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17