5 Things I have learned about God through puppy training

Sometimes the unexpected things teach you the most about God. 

Puppy training has been a lot of that for me. Scarlett, our new puppy, has been cute, stubborn, fragile, reckless, obedient, naughty and everything in between. We have laughed at her, been annoyed by her and are all together smitten by her. She has brought much joy and teaching to our home. 

Over the past month I have spent way too much time sitting outside waiting for her to go “potty.” I didn’t think it was that hard to figure out: Grass = potty; carpet = sleep. But hey, we are all a work in progress. As I have sat wondering how long it would take for her to go, I have found myself thinking and reflecting. Sometimes about sports and the upcoming football season, sometimes about what’s for dinner, sometimes about the stress my daughters are going through at school. A lot of times I pray. Pray for each of you, your ministries and the various requests that come across my WhatsApp screen. It’s a privilege actually – to pray. A space to catch my breath and listen; for the tinkle and for the words of God. Sometimes God uses the unexpected to teach us about him.

As I work with Scarlett to teach her the ways of life and obedience, God has taught me a lot about myself. Things that reassure, encourage and remind me of his promises. 

That God should be loved for who He is, not for what he can do for me.

Yes, God gives us gifts but the greatest gift is himself. Puppy training is driven by treats. Small nibbles of delight that encourage and teach Scarlett to obey. When she sees a treat she is quick to listen. But every treat is accompanied by a word of praise and lots of affection. Eventually, I want Scarlett to obey and be satisfied with simply my praise and affection. I want her to enjoy and be content with my words and not a dried duck flavored treat. God continually pours his blessings out on me through material provisions but His words, His praise and His affection is what I really long for. I want to love him fully for who He is to me and not just for the material blessings he gives me. 

Life is full of distractions

Oh look! A butterfly… a blowing leaf… a plane in the sky… a rock that has been sitting there for three weeks, it’s crazy the things that distract and disrupt her. Part of the battle of getting her to go “potty” is to get her to take her eyes off of the billion distracts in the yard and to concentrate on what her task is. To pee! 

I too walk through life way too often following the scent of tantalizing things and not on task for what I am purposed to do. 

Mark reminds us in chapter 4:“but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)

Distractions are everywhere and way too easy to follow. Scarlett has taught me to evaluate my priorities and recognize some of the ways I have been off task. 

“Come”

It was the first basic command we worked on. “Come!” Come sit by me! Come away from the danger! Come and receive a hug, a stroke, a pat of affirmation. Just come. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

The invitation is there. Jesus is waiting and calling for us. How often I choose my own route. Sometimes it takes me way too long to come to Jesus. 

“Sit”

Sit is the basis for about every command I teach Scarlett. If she doesn’t sit she won’t learn much else. Psalm 46:10 declares, “Be still and know that I am God.” If we do not sit with God, we will not learn who God is. If we do not learn who God is, we will not know Him. If we do not know him how can we possibly love him? The best moments with Scarlett are when she cuddles up and sleeps on my lap. It’s God’s offer to each of us, to sit, be still and know that he is God.

God is my strong tower and worthy to be trusted

This week we were in the yard playing when the garbage truck stopped in front of our house. Now, the garbage truck is big, loud and has lots of clanking moving parts. It’s quite scary as it picks up garbage cans and slams them against the side of the truck emptying its contents into the smelly dark cage of trash. To a puppy this is the definition of a monster on wheels! Scarlett immediately ran to me and whimpered ready to be held. As I held her I reassured her with my words that I would protect her and keep her safe. The garbage truck monster would not hurt her. 

Life is full of scary unpredictable monsters. Sickness, loneliness, landslides, physical threats, injustice and even death. In the midst of it all, God is our strong tower. 

“The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”Proverbs 18:10

God is our loving reassuring father. The father that promises his presents in the midst of pain, evil and suffering. Our strong tower worthy to be trusted.  

A journey

Training Scarlett has been a journey, a journey of growing and stumbling, frustration and joy. I’ve learned a lot about myself and a lot about God – things I never expected to learn from a dog.

As you journey through your life and ministry may you continually learn from the unexpected things God brings your way. My prayer is that you, like me, will walk away from each training moment with a reminder of God’s faithfulness and assurance of God’s loving promises for you.