After my husband and I had been married for a year and a half, I was suffering from dog fever. Yes, I said dog fever, not baby fever. Unlike most women, my passion and love for my baby is only a fraction of the devotion and love I have for my dog.
For weeks, I scoured local Facebook groups and animal shelters, talking to rescue hopefuls. My family has always had dogs since I was a child, so I thought it would be a perfect fit to get a dog for my husband and me. A few months later, I met an adorable Goldendoodle mix. He is almost 2 years old and came from a home repatriation situation. The only problem? He was a lot bigger than we expected.
Soon, my husband and I went out on a whim and visited him. As we were leaving, we both said, “Oh, it’s going to be a tough job to get him.” Yet, God began to work in us over the next week. After some consideration, we decided on a 50-pound fluff ball.
From the beginning, the adoption process was difficult. Our golden joy was sneaky and visited the ER twice in one week. We were stressed, confused, and anxious. But today, almost a year later, I can say we are very blessed. Our dogs have not only bonded with us, they have made us better. When you’ve had an exhausting, overwhelming, and emotionally draining day, there’s nothing better than coming home and seeing his goofy personality and smile. He greets us with unconditional love and greets us as if we are the best in the world.
I thank and praise God for my dog and dogs in general almost every day. It may seem silly, but having acquired 70 pounds of fluff made me realize the following: God’s gifts are not always loud and obvious. Sometimes they are shaped like dogs. And for me and many others, dogs are more than just companions. They reflect small, deep truths about how God designed us to live.
Dogs teach us the sacredness of play
Unlike dogs, most of us have forgotten the sacredness of play. We don’t do it on purpose, but as we grow up and take on more “adult” responsibilities, we forget how to enjoy life. Thankfully, most dogs aren’t like that.
Dogs in loving and caring homes will play freely and to the fullest without feeling guilty. They don’t get caught up in productivity, pressure, or being “good enough.” Of course, they don’t work full-time jobs or take on “adult” responsibilities, but they teach us important things about living life to the fullest.
As humans, we place our self-worth in our productivity (I think so too). Habits like rest and play feel more like “earned” things than essential to our overall well-being. But Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 shows us that we should enjoy life. God did not create us to be joyless, endless machines. If our only purpose in life was to work this side of heaven, we would be sadly disappointed.
“What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burdens that God has placed on mankind. He has made everything beautiful for its time. God has also set eternity in the heart of man. But no one can understand from beginning to end what God has done. For man to be happy and do good while he is alive. I know that there is nothing better than that, that every man may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his labors. I know that all that God does endures; nothing can be added to it so that men may fear him.” (Ecclesiastes) 3:9-14, New Translation of the Bible)
Friends, God did not design us to be in constant effort. And I am reminded of this every time I see my dog stick his butt up and wag his tail. Play is not childish, but rather rejuvenating. It’s not optional, but it’s essential to living a fulfilling life.
Today I would like you to consider two questions:
Where in your life have you stopped feeling joy? What would it be like to embrace small, simple pleasures again?
Dogs model rhythms of rest, nutrition, and existence
The second thing dogs teach us about living is a healthy model of rest, nutrition, and being. Ironically, dogs live in a rhythm that we resist but desperately need. For example, my dog Oso eats when he’s hungry, rests when he’s tired, and exists in every moment. We humans (myself included) ignore hunger cues, overwork ourselves to exhaustion, scroll endlessly, and live distracted lives. We think we’re getting better at multitasking, when in reality we’re living our lives at a pace we never should have followed.
Psalm 23 says that Christ “made us to lie down in green pastures.” Although traditionally a common psalm, we are often reminded that most of us avoid doing what this Bible actually says. God leads us to rest, but we often resist it. But rest is not laziness, it is following one of the noblest missions in our life. Avoiding rest leaves us with chronic fatigue, burnout, and anxiety, and in my opinion, that’s not the trade-off we were looking for.
Instead of avoiding the soul-nourishing things you need in this life, ask yourself, “Where am I exceeding my God-given limits?” Then, take lessons from your furry friend and practice eating regularly, valuing rest, and focusing on the present moment.
Dogs reflect unconditional love and loyalty
The last thing dogs teach me about living life to the fullest is that they love in a way that reflects God’s heart. Even if you don’t like dogs, please join us. Even if you’re not a fan of this tail-waving four-legged friend, there’s no denying it. Dogs don’t hold grudges and are the most loyal creatures God created.
Thankfully, dogs don’t withdraw their affection based on a human’s performance, although many humans do. We often live based on conditional love, fear of rejection, or performance-based values. But Romans 5:8 reminds us that God loved us while we were still sinners. Dogs remind us what love without ego is like. What does it feel like to love when someone forgets you, doesn’t play with you for three days, or gets yelled at for having an accident? Their love is unrelenting.
When I think about the gift God has given us through dogs, I think about why it is easier to accept love from a dog than love from God. Perhaps it’s because we are still trying to prove ourselves or live with unrealistic expectations. But Jesus invites us to receive God’s love without earning it. God offers us a love without limits, a love you can choose to accept today.
Wagging tail reminder
The first week my husband and I adopted our dog was a stressful adjustment. But looking back, I see that that moment was no coincidence. These furry friends aren’t random creatures. They are beautiful, playful, and loving reminders of God’s love and care for His creation.
When we open our eyes, God uses ordinary things to teach us amazing truths. I know that God is teaching me many things through my pets. This week, we encourage you to pay attention to when your dog is playing, resting, and receiving affection. And enjoy the joy with them. Respect your own limits. And when you receive love, choose to pour it back.
Maybe the tail wagging at your feet is a sign that you are returning to the heart of God, the heart of the God who chose to bless us with dogs.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Gary Yeowell
Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up, Amber looked for resources on faith and mental health, but couldn’t find anything. Now, she gives hope to young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond just reading the Bible and praying more. Because even though we love Jesus, we can still be plagued by anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help you navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.
