Remembering God’s Love through my rescue Dog
The other day I came across a photo of the day my rescue dog Emi came home with me. At the time I thought she was beautiful, and I would have still thought so whatever she looked like. But looking at the photo and others of that day, I could see the tired, sad eyes and the lack of muscle on her body, and how much she has changed since that day. It made me think about the times in our lives that were difficult and troubled and when God felt distant to us, and despite our prayers we couldn’t see a way out. Often when we look back, we can see how in fact God was working through both people and circumstances to help us in ways that we just couldn’t see at that moment.
Emi is an amazing dog and perfect at home, but like most dogs she can have her moments. Sometimes she puts her full body weight into pulling back because she wants to cross the road at the dangerous blind corner rather than move six feet along to the safe crossing — all while giving me a look as if I’m the worst dog mum in the world. I have to say that if this happens a few times on the same day it can occasionally try one’s patience. But likewise, I am sure that I and many of us must test God’s patience at times in our lives, possibly many times a day. But it doesn’t stop him loving us.
Emi and I take part in UK Sniffer Dog training (the dog has to locate a particular scent and indicate it). Emi loves this and is very good at it. At our last class before Christmas we had a little competition. I thought Emi would be her normal brilliant self and do well. It wasn’t the case. She just wasn’t at her usual standard and we came bottom — very clearly bottom! I couldn’t help but feel disappointed, not that we didn’t win but that we were so clearly the worst and Emi hadn’t really shown what she can do. But Emi still enjoyed herself and I still love her just as much whatever standard she reached.
Just as we may feel we disappoint God and get things wrong, it doesn’t change how much he loves us. Sometimes we simply need to remember this. Hilary x