Seven Spiritual Lessons Learned From My Dog, Sam

I have painted a theme picture for my blog as focusing on worldview, especially in fictional narratives. However, for my first blog, I will digress (and probably with future blogs too) because the spirit so moves me. In one sense it focuses on a worldview concept, the Christian Worldview.

We have now moved from Western Kentucky and relocated near our grandchildren in Texas. My wife and I thought we would be laid to rest in the land of my parents, siblings, and cousins when we came to the end of our days. Our beautiful 104 acre farm, a legacy left to me by my folks, held us blissfully captive. After serving in missions for 28 years, we had come full circle to settle in the land of West KY that my forefathers had settled on in the 1700s.

A 200 year old barn was refurbished with a loft overlooking hay fields, woods, and a vineyard that soothed the souls of many missionary and pastor couples seeking rest and spiritual rekindling. They found solace and counseling before they continued on the journey where the Lord had called them (see the photos and the video on our website).

An integral part to this life and ministry has been my dog, Sam, a mixed black Lab, who had shown up at our house in town 14 years ago as a lively three-month-old pup. When we were not able to locate the owners, I was persuaded by the pleading of my grandchildren to allow him to stay. Or, I should say that my wife, Jeanette, was persuaded. She thought it would be good therapy for some hard times I was passing through, including a quadruple by-pass surgery, death of my mother, and caring for an ailing father. It was the best decision of my life (with the exception of my salvation and making Jeanette my wife).

Sam, I discovered, was a canine prophet of sorts. It took me 12 of his 14 years to recognize that he had specifically taught me Seven Spiritual Lessons. Like me, he has slowed with age, but still remains by my side to remind me of what he has taught me when he stares at my face with deep brown penetrating eyes.

With your indulgence, I would like to share those lessons I have learned over the next seven weeks. I begin with the lesson of obedience.

While Sam, his name, compliments of my grandchildren, was a new arrival at our house, he quickly made himself at home by entering the back door to the kitchen. He was met with my wife’s crossed arms and a stern look. She said, “Look, if you are going to stay, you will stay outside, in a house made for you.”

Sam’s response was to almost bow. He laid down on the floor and looked imploringly from her to me. Both of us sensed he was asking permission to stay close to us. Jeanette sighed and told him it was okay, but he was forbidden to go into the rest of the house. Sam never violated that sacred trust. He stayed in the area approved, even when temptations of food were within reach and we were not present. He never once in his lifetime soiled the floor or chewed on items carelessly left (by me) within reach. As a puppy and as a senior he respected the home.

His obedience carried over to other facets of his life. He knew the boundaries of our yard in town, as well as the boundaries on the farm. I once observed him pursuing a fox across the fields. When the fox reached the country road marking the farm boundaries he locked up his legs and skidded to a halt. Ask anyone who owns hunting dogs, they will tell you that once their hounds are in pursuit, that becomes their universe.

I take from Sam the lesson of obedience. Our Lord expects us to follow His precepts, even though we are strongly tempted to deviate from them. It is out of love for the Master and the desire to please that we should do what He wants, not what we want.

“—and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go —“ (1 Kings 2:3, NIV)

Tune in to my next blog for the second of Sam’s Spiritual Lessons.