Wednesday, September 28, 2011

More dog like

Last night I had a dream that my family came to my graduation. I'd been expecting them and was anxiously awaiting their arrival out by the swings on campus. then they pulled up and got out of the car, I started to walk towards them and then my grandma stepped to the side and out bounded my Harley. I called to him and got a look very similar to this:
And then when I called again, he started to run like this:

He ran to me and jumped up, it was the happiest feeling ever. All his wiggling and licking and barking, and just having him near. Yeah, it was great to have my family there too, but, my dog. The embodiment of unconditional love and inability to judge. The pure joy that is a small dog. Sometimes I wonder if God gave us dogs so that we could have a glimpse into the joy that He has when we turn to Him. Or if they are here to show us how to act towards one another. The Bible says that whenever someone confesses their faith in God and Jesus, the angels rejoice along with Him. I don't picture angles and saints dancing around blowing trumpets when a person turns to God. I picture a dog waiting at the dog for it's master and the pure joy the dog expresses as soon as their person walks in the door. The slobber laden kisses, jumping and butt wiggling. That's the kind of joy I think of when a person becomes saved. Pure, uninhibited joy.
And if they are here to teach us how to act, they show us how to be friends with others, to forgive mistakes, live in the moment and to never give up. Sure, there are some dogs that don't like others, but there are always exceptions to the rule. But in the most part, my dog has never met a stranger. He loves everyone regardless of their past, how they look or what they may do. He never holds a grudge if I mess up, trip over him and he doesn't judge me when I fail. He's always in the moment. Dogs live in the now and don't worry about tomorrow. And they never give up waiting on you. Hachi waited nine years for his owner to step off of a train to walk home with him like he had done for years before. He didn't know that his owner had died. Every day, he waited. He never gave up that his owner was going to go home with him. That's what dogs do. They keep the faith that you will return home to them and they'll forgive you for the length of time that you were gone and be just as happy to see you as ever.

I can't wait to go home and see Harley. I wish he could come for my graduation, that would make my day. But just knowing that he's at home, waiting for me to return is enough for now. I miss him terribly. And I hope that over time, I become more dog like in how I treat others.



0 comments: