Scout

We have this dog. His name is Scout, and Scout is a flat-coat border collie mix (probably more mix than border collie), and is about 1 1/2 years old. We rescued him from the Humane Society back in early December--he was timid, quiet, and didn't bark with the other dogs, but yet had a certain sweetness in his eyes we couldn't resist.

It's taken a while, but within the past few weeks, his personality has burst forth in all it's glory. He's the funniest dog (except when he chewed my shoes and the DVD remote)! He runs around with his squeaky toy, pummeling it, fetching it, and holding it between his paws and chewing it while on his back. Or when he wants you to play--he takes on that border collie stance, all the while thinking, I'm sure, "Go ahead, little sheep--just try and run!" Or when he looks at you with that border collie stare, said to hypnotize cows--but just creeping us out. He's hilarious! And he's turning out to be a great dog who just wants to please us, no matter what.

So why am I telling you about our crazy dog? Partly, 'cause I like to brag about him. He's been a nice remedy to a petless home since we lost our well-loved border collie Cassie last July (she was 14). But mostly, because I think that we have a lot in common with the dogs we love when it comes to God. Now, go with me on this:

God rescued us from certain eternal death. We were beaten down by the sin that consumed us, and He had mercy on us. Not only mercy, but great love as well.

So, He gets us home, figuratively speaking. Through His Spirit He cleaned us up, and by His Word He feeds us--more abundantly than we've ever been fed before. We're grateful, but we're still dogs after all--and so we maybe make puddles in the house or we chew up something we shouldn't have. We are disciplined for those things--not to punish us but to teach us how to live. Then we're allowed play--being obedient to the Master by doing good works and bringing peace and joy to those around us--to our hearts' content. All in His presence, basking in His love and forgiveness, and bringing great delight to Him.

My dog has a lot to teach me, I think, about my walk with Jesus.