Dog Days and Praying Puppies
In honor of the “dog days” of summer, let me introduce you to my dog, Captain. Captain is a 12 year old Chocolate Labrador Retriever, who is the center of attention in our house. Like most Labs, this handsome guy will not leave you alone, especially if he wants something. Every night at the dinner table, Captain will stare at me, drool, and hit me with his paw until I notice him. Don’t be fooled for a second, he is relentless when he comes to food. All of his concentration is locked with laser-like intensity of trying to obtain the next bite of tasty goodness from his master. And since I’m a big sap, I usually give him what he wants.
Martin Luther had a puppy named Tolpel and used him as example of how to pray. The following is from May 18, 1532. When Luther’s puppy happened to be at the table, looked for a morsel from his master, and watched with open mouth and motionless eyes, he [Martin Luther] said, “Oh if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish, or hope.”
Behold the heart of the pious dog …
If I only could pray like my dog. Sounds funny, I know, but how often do our prayers get sidetracked by other thoughts. Often the worries of the day come rushing in and interrupting our communication with the Holy Trinity. It is frustrating when our minds wander away. If only we could be like the dog; lost in receiving the gifts from the hand of our Master. Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
As you pray this month, remember the heart of the pious dog!
Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!
Come to Holy Cross – Jesus is here – for you!
Your Servant in Christ,
Pastor Jeffrey Stone
Proverbs 3 Verses 5 to 6. [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
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