We lost our family dog this week. Now, we’re not the kind of family that treats our animals like humans, but it’s amazing how these creatures weave themselves into our lives.
And through this loss of one of God’s creatures, God has revealed His faithfulness. He uses all of life’s circumstances to teach us and bring light to His Word, over and over again.
This isn’t just about a family pet, so read on to see how God weaves a beautiful lesson!
Labelle – was a loyal part of our family for nine years – was given to us by a dear friend (thanks, Susan!) – was a guide-dog flunkie (a great place to find a great dog – Guide Dogs for the Blind) – and she actually saved our daughter’s life many years ago. She was strong and healthy, but through a misunderstanding with our neighbor who was caring for our animals, she was hit by a car while we were away on a trip. God always has new lessons in forgiveness and responsibility for us!
The loss of an animal, be it a cat or dog, goat or fish, is never as traumatic as losing a person in our lives. Yet, it is as if God gives us these animal friends and the experience of losing them, as practice for the real thing – for the time when it will be a beloved person: a husband, wife, child, parent, friend.
I began reading Ecclesiastes this week and a verse that has often confused me in the past was given new meaning.
It is better to go to a house of mourning
Than to go to a house of feasting,
Because that is the end of every man,
And the living takes it to heart.Ecclesiastes 7:2
New revelation comes as we teach and explain things to others, and again, this held true as I shared this chapter with my family.
- Feeling the pain of loss brings us into “the house of mourning”.
- Experiencing the reality of the brevity of life and the permanency of death paints us into the picture of “the end of every man.”
- This experience truly causes us to “take it to heart,” to ponder our life.
God’s Amazing Timing
It always amazes me how God puts circumstances in our lives that blend and connect in the perfect timing and manner so as to teach us His ways. Our dog died while we were on vacation to visit my husband’s mother who is 78, and my parents who are in their mid 80’s. During our trip, we listened to a Highland Ministries Basement Tape by R.C. Sproul, Jr. about the recent death of his dear wife, Denise. All of these experiences in a very short amount of time add up to a clear picture of the brevity of life. This truly does cause us to “take it to heart”, to consider our ways, to ponder our life, our future, our purpose.
Coming to the end of a lifetime with my parents, hearing of others who suffer loss of a loved one, and even the simple death of our dog heighten my awareness of the importance of relationships. So, relationships will be my topic in a series of posts this month.
Please come and share with me, this human life we live, along with the people (and even animals) that God puts in it for our good. It’s all for our good! The pain, the joy, the pleasure, the pain. He uses it all for our growth and to reveal Himself to us. Let us glorify Him during this life He has given us. Let us relish in the relationships He gives us, for He is the author of relationships!
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance….
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
Steve says
Jake is doing ok but is a bit depressed. Today he chewed our front door knob which is not as flat as a quarter. He is anxious and not used to being alone. We are looking at getting another doberman from a rescue.
And yes I agree Spurgeon, Luther were dog lovers as was R.C. Sproul who I recently heard a sermon how he had to put his dog to sleep but couldn’t bear the thought and someone else had to take the dog to the vet.
When you have sound theology your dog will be better for it! :)
Merry Christmas!
Steve
Steve says
Typo…. “which is NOW as flat as a quarter” :)
Steve says
I just read your post and my wife and I are also in the house of mourning. We just put our precious 11.6 year old Doberman Samson to sleep Sunday night. We never thought losing a dog could hurt so much. He has been with us for most of our marriage and there is differently an empty space now. It shows the reality that we live in a broken world and which results in broken relationships even with dogs.
Sam lived a good life and I thank God for the time we had with him. He brought us great joy.
We share your thoughts on the idea of treating dogs like people, they asked us if we wanted his ashes and we were like, “what are we going to do with those” :) But it still amazes me that an animal can occupy such a precious place in the heart of a human being. Losing Samson is a reminder that this life is fleeting and what this world offers is temporal at best. It reminds me what we are pilgrims and are looking for a city who’s maker and builder is God. I look forward to that day when we will live without broken relationships in the presence of our God and King Jesus Christ.
And like Martin Luther I to believe my Sammy will be there :)
“Be comforted, little dog, thou too in the Resurrection shall have a tail of gold.” – Martin Luther
“Mr. Rowland Hill used to say that a man was not a true Christian if his dog and his cat were not the better off for it. That witness is true” – Charles Spurgeon
Here is a little video I put together that only a dog lover could appreciate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDXkbeLANbI
God bless!
Steve
livingabovethenoise says
Well I have tears in my eyes as I read your words. God has blessed us with even animals to share our lives.
I appreciate your quotes from great men of God, who obviously knew the value of four-footed companions.
From watching your video of your life with Samson, I wonder, how is your other dog doing without him? We had a cat and this dog who were best friends, but they died within a week of each other.
We have a Springer Spaniel puppy who’s keeping us busy now. She’s a wonderful addition to our family, but our lab, Labelle, and her loyalty are still missed.
Time heals. God is so good to give us His trials and His blessings.
Susan says
I’m so sorry you had to come home to learn Labelle was gone. She was a lucky dog to live with your family for 9 wonderful years! Thanks for sharing how you are “taking this to heart”.
Love you tons!
Susan