Lesson in Fur and Faith

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20

Anyone who knows me knows my 3-year-old Goldendoodle, Cooper Jax. We have been together for quite some time now, and as I look past his loyalty and companionship, he has grown to be a living reminder of God’s love and grace. In so many ways, I see the hand of God in everyday moments spent with Cooper. From the way he loves, forgives quickly, and finds joy in the small stuff, I am reminded of several truths found in God’s word. Here are a few lessons in fur and faith that I have learned along the way:

1.        God’s love is endless: Unconditional love

The Lord’s love for his creation is endless. No matter how far we go, what troubles we find ourselves in, or what season of life we currently stand in, God still loves us. Not only does he love us, but he promises to be with us always. He doesn’t get tired of us or want to through in the towel. He is patient and waits for us. Like the prodigal son, God celebrates with love everyone who returns to his side.

The same I see with Cooper. Each time I leave, his excitement is waiting for me when I return. He gives endless cuddles and wet kisses. Even when I speak to him with morning breath or take him outside with my bed hair, he still loves me. Our unconditional bond and his unwavering loyalty are a testament to God’s promise to love us wholeheartedly and with no end.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22–23

2.        God is the same today, yesterday, and forever: Consistent and Dependable

As humans, we grow, change, and evolve as life unfolds around us. It is normal to expect people to change in their likes, their desires, and their goals over time. I think that is why we struggle to grasp the idea of God being unchanging and consistent. We try to put the same human characteristics on God, but we can’t. The same God who was spoken about in the Bible is the same God who sits on the throne today. God cannot lie and won’t go back on His Word. We can rest assured that whatever he has spoken will come to pass because he is dependable. But although God is consistent in His character, love, and faithfulness, he is not predictable in how He works or when he moves.

When I think about Cooper, he, too, is consistent in his ways. He enjoys the routines that we have formed, going out to potty and walking at the same time, waiting by the door for his collar, and lying in the same place on the bed. His presence is there in sickness, sadness, or excitement just as God’s is.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. – Isaiah 40:8

3.        We can find joy in all things because our joy is rooted in Christ, not our circumstances.

Joy is not based on our circumstances; it is rooted in true contentment from faith and trust in God. Happiness may come and go based on happenings and events, but joy is anchored in who God is. We are joyful because we know that our Father is good and always has our best interests in mind. Even when life doesn’t feel good, we can rest in his unchanging goodness. Even while in prison, Paul rejoiced because he knew that his temporary suffering was small in comparison to the salvation offered from the Gospel. When we are fully convinced that God is for us, nothing can keep us from the joy he provides, not even hardship.

I recently took Cooper on a glamping trip, and watching him roam freely and get excited about even the smallest things made me smile. It reminded me to slow down and smell the roses. Even an open field holds joy when seen through God’s eyes. Cooper’s ability to take it all in and rest in God’s creation is a reminder that nothing is too small to bring joy.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24

4.        We must learn to forgive quickly, releasing our hurt so grace can flow freely, keeping ourselves open to where God is taking us.

Living in a place of unforgiveness is exactly where the enemy wants us to be. He knows that where there is unforgiveness, there is also bitterness, anger, and a hardened heart. God tells us to forgive because holding on keeps us from where He is trying to lead us. How can He move us forward when we are holding so tightly to things of the past? God instructs us to forgive because He first forgave us. When we forgive, we release burdens, restore our relationships, and walk in peace instead of pain.

Cooper doesn’t hold on to anything. I could accidentally step on his paw, forget his treat, or delay his potty break, and he never holds it against me. Within moments, he is back at my side with a wagging tail, ready to be pet and loved. Just as God shows us, Cooper doesn’t expect perfection; his affection is always shown in his desire for closeness.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

5.        Patience: Good things take time; God is not in a rush, we are.

Being patient is hard. There is nothing easy about waiting for things that we want right now. Our human nature focuses on the immediate instead of the eternal, which is why we want to reap the benefits instantly instead of waiting patiently. But God doesn’t operate on human time. To Him, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day. When we learn to wait patiently, we train our hearts to trust God’s timing and allow the Spirit to do the necessary work within us. We can rest in the truth that He is all-knowing and will make things happen at exactly the right time.

With Cooper, I have gained the skills to wait well. I’ve learned to wait patiently as he finds just the right spot to potty, wait patiently while he learns a new trick or command, and even wait as he grows more comfortable with change. We have both learned to be patient in the different seasons of life. Cooper has helped me realize that patience teaches us that every waiting moment is filled with purpose.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! – Psalm 27:14

So not only are our sweet dogs good for companionship, but they also point us to God’s goodness. They are just a little slice of heaven on earth! Thank God for such sweet reminders of faithfulness, love, and gentleness!

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