If you have or have had a dog you will understand how quickly they learn the word “walk.” You think they are asleep and you casually say “walk” and instantly they are dancing in front of you.
“Where’s the leash? Let’s go. Stop messing with your coat. Why don’t you wear one all the time like I do?”
So you stop using that word and replace it with “go around.” A week later they know those words. Then you start spelling but that also is quickly learned. In our house we are now working on the word, “circumvent.” It’s only a matter of time.
Initially I thought of writing about why we keep pets and making an analogy as to why God keeps us. However, that is a horrible analogy because we are not God’s pets. We are God’s children. There is a huge difference. No matter how much time I spend teaching my dog, she will never comprehend thoughtful issues. She knows to protect her territory (our home). She searches the house and starts bumping me when food is on the table. As grand as those things are they are not reading or creating art. Nose art on the car windows doesn’t count. In some ways she is more loyal than most people. She is more forgiving than most of us. She understands shame and will, until she is too old, dance when I come home.
However, despite all her ingratiating qualities, she will never bring me the deepest feelings of satisfaction that I get from my sons. God knows this satisfaction. If we are to be in His image He had to give us the ability to procreate. It is the closest thing we can do to bring us into His image.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 26, 2013
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org