The more I watch my dog “Buddy” the more I realize there is much I can learn in regards to my relationship with God from his example.

I am his world and his reason for being, he looks up at me with those big brown eyes with such adoration that I can’t help running a hand across his head and scratching behind his ears, letting him know he’s loved.

He doesn’t always do exactly as he’s told at the moment of command, most times but not always, yet this in no way retracts from my love for him, he will always be mine.

Obviously I am capable of a greater level of understanding than he is, I understand his limitations, I may have to correct his behavior from time to time but I never stop loving him.

There are things I know he finds personal enjoyment in, chewing on his toy, rolling on the grass, of course chasing squirrels but he’s his most content just sitting at my feet.

I’m not certain he fully remembers the day I walked into that shelter and seen him ( still a pup ) looking up at me from inside his pen, but he obviously knows I’ve chosen him as my own and that I love him…

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you…..John 15:16

I am the center of his universe, pleasing me is his nature, his primary motivation, his reason and purpose.

“….You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind”….Matt 22:37

He neither toils nor frets over much as he simply trusts me and knows I will always provide him his needs just as I always have. I am his El Shaddi, his great provider.

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink”…….” Matt 6:25

You could perhaps call for him and he may not respond, he doesn’t know you. When I’m ready to take him for his walk and call for him I can rest assured he will come running, he knows me, he knows my voice.

“……and the sheep will follow him, for they know his voice John 10:4

He doesn’t have the ability to understand why I do the things I do, he does however recognize the results of my actions.

When I go to the market and return with food he probably relates to that as returning from the hunt, admires that I’m always successful and always come home with the game in hand.

He isn’t capable of understanding how my truck is able to start up and travel down the road but he does recognize it’s ability to arrive at his favorite destinations, the beach or the dog park.

I notice this reflects how little I am able to really comprehend of how God accomplishes His purposes throughout His creation, so many mysteries that my mind cannot fully comprehend, things such as the Trinity or how election stands firm mingled with freewill.

I may attempt to put these puzzles together in a way that offers a sense of reasoning but in the end it comes down to one thing, faith in Him who is so far above me that I am simply left in awe of His handiwork.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are My ways your ways, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts your thoughts”. Isaiah 55:8-9

Buddy trusts me, completely, I have his complete devotion. He hasn’t the ability to understand the love I have for him he just knows that I do.

He isn’t able to rationalize why I provide for him or how I accomplish his provisions in the manner in which I do, he just knows that I always have and I always will.

Is that not faith?

Yes there’s much I can learn from my dog, his example often humbles me. I’m still learning to trust my Lord in the manner that Buddy trusts me.

Buddy’s worship of me is complete, he never waivers, he never doubts, he never questions as to why I love him, he just accepts fully that I have.

In that assurance he simply lays at my feet….and he rests.

If only I could worship like that.