God sometimes uses our pets to teach us lessons. He has given some creatures loving, faithful natures that may put you and me to shame. Perhaps you have a pet that can teach you some good habits and lessons. This story gives us three good examples.
Gregory Paget had always wanted a dog, but his parents had never felt it was wise to have one because they lived in the city. But one day after Gregory had grown to be a young man and had gone away to school, he came home for the summer and brought a black and white puppy with him.
Even though the puppy was so cute and cuddly, Gregory’s mother, Mrs. Paget, said, “You know we can’t keep him.”
Gregory answered, “Yes, I know, but I’m sure Uncle Russell will take him on his farm, and I’ll just go and visit him sometimes.”
Mrs. Paget said she was certain Uncle Russell would not want another dog since he already had a nice big farm dog named King. But Gregory said, “I’ll ask him anyway.”
Several days went by before Mrs. Paget asked Gregory, “What did Uncle Russell say about taking Springer?”
By then Gregory had given him a name. “Springer” seemed to fit since he moved so quickly. It was as if he were springing into action to obey.
“Well,” Gregory said, “I haven’t asked him yet.” (You see, he was beginning to love the dog and did not want to see him go.)
A few more days went by before Mrs. Paget asked Gregory again if Uncle Russell had agreed to take Springer. But she got the very same answer, followed by, “Someone will want him.”
By this time, as you can imagine, Gregory wasn’t the only one who thought Springer was a pretty special dog. Both Mr. and Mrs. Paget were also becoming so fond of him that the question of a new home for him just never came up again.
You see, a dog can show a great deal of love for those who care for him. But there is One, the Lord Jesus, who loved and cared so much for us that He came into the world and went to the cross and died. He did that purposely so that those who will take Him as their Saviour may one day live with Him in His home in heaven. Have you accepted His love and taken Him as your very own Saviour?
Well, now that Springer had become part of the Paget family, he had to be trained. He quickly learned that he was not allowed in the living room and dining room where there was carpet on the floor. He would come into the house, run through the utility room, the kitchen, the breakfast nook, then into the large front entry hall. But he would stop short at the carpet and just sit there.
The family never saw Springer disobey that rule. Wouldn’t it be nice if Christian boys and girls would be that obedient to their parents? The Bible, God’s Word, says: “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.” Colossians 3:2020Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:20).
Springer showed his love for the family in another way too. Grandma, who was about 85 years old, lived there too, and she took a daily walk using a cane. Springer, who had been taught to stay at home, would sit on the front porch until Grandma returned. After her short walk, once in a while she would decide to go a little farther. She would go on past the house for a block or two, and then return. But Springer always seemed uneasy about that. He seemed to think that Grandma had forgotten where her home was, and so would always bark a few times as she went past the house. It seemed he wanted to warn the family to go see about her.
Like Springer, children can be kind and careful of older people, as well as younger brothers and sisters. Another Bible verse reminds us, “By love serve one another.” Galatians 5:1313For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13).
There is one more lesson we can learn from Springer. Mr. Paget occasionally worked at his workbench in the basement. On these occasions Springer loved to be right beside him, and being curious he would get his head right down to where the saw or hammer was being used. One day he got a little too close, and as Mr. Paget’s hammer came back up it smacked poor Springer right in the nose. Springer gave only a little yelp even though it was a pretty hard smack. Before Mr. Paget could even give him a pat to assure him it was an accident, Springer was licking his hand. He seemed to be telling Mr. Paget, “It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean to do it.”
The Lord Jesus wants us to show forgiveness, so He said: “Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:3232And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32). You see, when you come to the Lord Jesus and accept Him as your Saviour, He forgives all your sins. Only He can do this, because He died for those sins.
ML-03/29/1992