Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Dog Faith


Last Sunday after preaching on forgiveness at Willow UMC one person suggested that we should be like dogs when it comes to truly forgiving ourselves and others.  So today I offer Christianity 101, the dog version.

If we were only taught by dogs, we would learn stuff like:

**When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

**Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

**When it's in your best interest -- practice obedience.

**Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

**Take naps and stretch before rising.

**Run, romp and play daily.

**Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

**Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.

**On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

**On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

**When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

**No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.

**Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

**Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.  Stop when you've had enough.

**Be loyal.

**Never pretend to be something you're not.

**If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

**When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

 

Grace Always,

Dave

1 comment:

GracePeace said...

Hi Dave, Thanks for your blog posting on "Being Like Dogs". My wife, Rev. Lynne Lepley, and I are owned by two Great Pyrenees dogs, Gracie, age 8, and Buddy, age 5. Buddy is almost 7 feet long and literally, "a gentle giant". We've been rescuing Great Pyrs since 1994. KC, our first Pyr, lived 16 years.
I served with NSA/ASA in Alaska (Fort Wainwright, Shemya, Barrow and Thule, Greenland in 1968-1969 before going to Vietnam & Cambodia in 1970-1971.
Peace & Grace, Rev. Ralph Lepley, MSW, MDIV, ICF Business & Professional Coach, Memory, NC Cohort of The Academy For Missional Wisdom and Coach for The Pacific Northwest Cohort,(Waskington & Oregon) AMW.