Buddy

Buddy wandered up one day, needy, fearful and non-trusting.  The family showed him love and fed him with consistency.  Buddy stayed with the family, and over time I watched the scared dog love and trust the family back!  He was protective of "his" family who cared for him.  He loved his masters and became a faithful, obedient pet.

Buddy died this week and the family grieves the loss.  As I reflected on their grief, the lonely grief of losing a pet, I thought of what a good illustration Buddy is of the Christian.  We, too, are wandering aimlessly with needs, fears, and very little trust in anything.  People have hurt us and let us down.  No one seems to care!  And then we hear God say, "Come unto Me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest!"  We come!  He shows us love with consistency and feeds us consistently.  We grow as we are nourished and cared for.  We learn to trust and love and obey.  We, too, serve our Master out of the loving and thankful heart with which He has blessed us.  And we continue to grow, progress and remain faithful to the end.