When it comes to the subject of dogs many people will think of a childhood pet, a loyal friend, or even a protector; on the flipside some might also use the dog to express something bad: in the dog house, has a face like a dog, smells like dog, and the list goes on. Dogs have the knack to make their owners either very happy or very displeased, and this usually falls on the dog’s training and/or willingness to listen to directions.
I met a dog that brought something to light in my mind; it was on a sort of “hunting retreat” outside of Bowbells , North Dakota
We all hunkered down next to some water, which was housing a pretty decent number of ducks. Shadow had been making his way in and out of the water for some time; “Good” I thought, “The water is not too cold for him. This will be a lot of fun.” The ducks took off with a noisy flight. Our scatter-guns barked their loud attacks on the ducks; I felt as if we were AA Gunners during WWII firing on enemy aircraft above. Well apparently I was employed by the enemy because after Todd and I shot only one bird sounded a defeated splash into the drink. I knew plain as day that it was Todd’s prize as I watched him take the last shot and momentarily after the bird fell. Though a little disappointed by my lack of show I still was excited to see good ol’ Shadow in action; maybe I could see how he operated and take that information home to train my dog. Unfortunately Shadow did not see the duck plucked from the sky and deposited into the waters below, but this did not dissuade Todd. Again and again Todd (and his boys) called Shadow out to retrieve the bird. Frustration slowly developed in both master and dog as Shadow just could not locate the duck. Finally, after what seemed about 15 minutes, Shadow was finally able to locate his objective. Loyally he swam out through the reeds and approached the duck. When he finally arrived he smelled the prize, nudged it with a gentle push of his nose towards the shore then swam back to shore and returned to Todd empty handed.
As a Christian I have become cynical over the years. After falling and failing time and time again I would beat myself down and convince myself that the only place I could truly deserve was a dingy, dirty dog house. I have long since forgotten the wonder and power of God’s ceaseless grace, sometimes to the point of forbidding myself to ask for Christ’s forgiveness…not returning to the Father, and that’s where Shadow got me.
Shadow is from a breed of dog that through his very genetics is prone to retrieve things. When Shadow returned from the water, no duck in mouth, he did not do what he was called to do, what he was meant to do, or what he was born to do as a retriever; however he did was he supposed do as a dog, he returned to his master. How can Shadow receive love or training if he doesn’t return to his master? As the master, Todd did not cast his dog aside cursing its incompetence, he did not lay the boots to him or send him away, he welcomed him back, he talked to him, he rubbed his head, and I’d be willing to bet there’ll be more training some day.
Mankind is sinful in nature; heck, we’re born into this world sinful, says so in the scriptures it does. Should we be so down trodden when we, as Christians, miss the mark? There’s going to be times when we’re supposed to go do something, maybe something we’re called to do, just like Shadow, and sometimes we’ll get it 90% correct, just like Shadow; but 90% isn’t what Christ wants. If we do something only 90%, we sin, we fall and we fail, but our Master wants to give us grace, teaching, and love if we would simply return to him, just like Shadow.
Shadow didn’t fail completely, he returned. When you fail don’t quit or give up, return. In times of trials, in times of failure, in times of sin, return to the Father; aspire to be like Shadow…be a Duck-Nudging Christian.
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