The Devoted Dog: Love

We all like animals, don’t we? God made them for us to enjoy, and there are many things we can learn from them. Let’s go out to the King’s Garden and see what lesson He has to teach us today.

“Woof! Woof!” Here comes the dog, wagging her tail and slapping a wet kiss on our hands. She is so friendly and sweet, devoted to us like she is part of the family. When we are ready to play she is happy to chase the stick or tumble on the lawn. When we go on a walk she frisks along, and joins us contentedly when we sit down. What a loving animal she is!

The dog doesn’t mind if we are tall or short, small or big, talkative or quiet. She doesn’t laugh if we can’t do something, and she doesn’t pretend she is smarter than we are. It doesn’t matter what we’re like; the dog loves us anyway. Isn’t this the kind of love we need to have towards one another? This is the kind of love Jesus has: He loves all the people of the world, no matter how different they are. We need to ask Jesus to help us love everybody, too.

Another way the dog shows her love is by pleasing us. We don’t love each other if we only want our own way. Love gladly gives and makes others happy. And see how happy she is; tongue lolling out in a smile! The dog wants to please us and is glad when we are happy, whether it is running or playing, working or sitting still. Let’s have that kind of love to help Mom and Dad and play nicely with one another. And most of all, when we have love we want to please Jesus. How can we be His “devoted dog” and make Him happy today?