If I speak too often of Chester, I hope friends will forgive me. Most people teach their dogs. I seem to keep learning from mine.

When Chester the adorable Japanese Chin was just a pup, we attended obedience school. He really retained only two “obediences” learned there. He backs away from anything he’s sniffing, sneaking or stalking when I say “OFF!” in a stern manner, and he sits for his food.

When I fill his dish he knows that it won’t be placed on the floor until he sits. So he sits. When he’s put in the kitchen because I’m going out, he marches in without coercion, then turns to face me, and sits. He’s come to expect a treat for his willing obedience…and 99% percent of the time, I oblige him.

By now he would go into the kitchen whether or not he received a reward for doing so, but when I see his little upturned face and how faithfully he waits, it’s hard for me to walk away without satisfying his desire.

He’s not starving. And he wouldn’t whine (much) without a pinch of “Pupperoni” as a parting gift. But still he sits, and waits for what he hopes will come to him from my hand.

It’s here that the attempted parallel breaks down a bit. The gulf between Chester’s nature and mine is wide, but the gulf between God’s and mine is wider still. The truth is Chester is probably a lot more like me than I am like God. Still, I wonder if my Master isn’t pleased and perhaps even compelled when I look to his hand to reward me, and hope for his kindness to bless me. And I wonder if I eye his hand even half as expectantly (and hopefully) as Chester does mine.

God’s been good to me. Very good. And He’s done it long enough for me to cease imagining that his goodness is an anomaly, or a fluke. It is not. His is a determined goodness toward me that I can count on. I can trust the hand that feeds me.

I don’t need to worry about looking silly when I sit hopefully at his feet. I know he is pleased to find me there. And I believe it is not a hardship but a joy to him to feed me from his endless supply of lovingkindness. It really is better than life.

They all wait for Thee, to give them their food in due season. Thou dost give it to them, they gather it up; Thou dost open Thy hand, they are satisfied with good. (Psalm 104:27-28, NASB)

© Leigh McLeroy 2004