When Your Dog Talks . . . Listen

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!

JEN WAS FULL OF NERVOUS ENERGY about her dad’s upcoming open-heart surgery. Questions swirled through her mind. Would everything go smoothly? How extensive would his rehab be? Would there be long-term consequences? I need to find something to take my mind off Dad for a little while, she thought. She opened the pantry and saw the plastic bin that contained all of the teaching supplies she had been using for the past four years with her preschool class at church. The bin had reached its capacity and then some. It was time to cull the contents. She began pulling out finger puppets, construction paper, and Popsicle stick signs that quickly littered the floor.

She swallowed the worry lodged in her throat. Her fingers grew cold with fear.

I am not going to start down the what-ifs trail, she thought as she stuffed a handful of ripped paper plates into a trash bag.

Her cell phone rang. It was her mom.

The trash bag slipped from Jen’s hand.

Thankfully, her mom was just calling to confirm Jen’s flight information. Jen moved into the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea while she continued the conversation. When she hung up, Jen noticed her hands were shaking.

Once again, she tried to swallow her fear.

What if?

She scrubbed the dishes in the sink.

What if?

She began rearranging the boxes in the pantry.

She heard her dog, Bailey, walk into the kitchen, but Jen was far too busy trying to avoid thinking about her dad to pay the fluffy Golden retriever much attention.

With the pantry done, Jen closed the door. She was scanning the kitchen for something else to tackle when she came to a complete stop.

Bailey was holding one of the signs from Jen’s bin in her mouth: a bright orange sign with the word “Pray” written on it.

Of all the things in the bin. Of all the signs—happy face signs and sad face signs, “green means go” signs and “red means stop” signs, giant ear signs to remind the kids to listen, and big eye signs to remind them to pay attention—Bailey had picked the “Pray” sign.

Jen dropped to her knees in front of her dog and wrapped her arms tightly around Bailey. She began to sob, something she should have done days ago when she first learned of her dad’s diagnosis.

And then, after gently taking the sign out of Bailey’s mouth, Jen did what her dog suggested—she prayed.

And as she prayed, she felt fear begin to loosen its grip on her heart.

Bailey stayed with Jen the entire time she prayed on the kitchen floor. Jen prayed for strength and peace, healing and protection, joy and mercy. Then she spent time praising God and thanking him for her parents, her dad’s doctors, and her friends and family who were helping in so many ways. Above all, she thanked God for loving her so much that he sent her a message through her dog.

A dog who had given her just the right word at just the right moment.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

Can you recall a time someone shared a timely word with you? How did that word help you? Is there someone in your life today who might need a word of encouragement? How could you speak words of life, grace, and hope to that person today?

Paws & Pray

Lord, thank you for speaking to me through your Word and through the words you give others to say to me. Give me the courage to speak words of life to those around me. Open my eyes to see the needs of others. And then open my mouth and my hands so that I might help to meet their needs as much as possible.

Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.