Patch was an amazing dog. He really was. We all loved him. He died when I was young, but I can still remember him – a big old cuddly collie dog, more white than black. He was gorgeous.
But he was also very naughty. The problem was he loved food!
Back then, for a small fee, the local village shop, would deliver a few groceries to your door. They were always delivered in a cardboard box. If no one was in, the grocer would leave your box in your outhouse, shed or at your front door.
Patch seemed to be able to small food miles off. Regularly my parents would get a phone call from a disgruntled neighbour: “Patch has been at my groceries again!” And so, dad would head off to the shop to replace the items, before calling on the neighbour to apologise. So yes, Patch was naughty.
But he was also worth his weight in gold. Why? Because he always did what dad asked of him. Even now I can hear my dad telling him to, “go and fetch um”. The “ums” were the cows out in the fields. Believe it or not that old dog would turn and fetch them, all by himself. He never worried the cows; he never chased them. He just quietly rounded them up and brought them home to the farmyard. He really was amazing.
He wasn’t perfect but he was dearly loved. And he loved dad and dad loved him! Plus, he loved his job and he loved to obey.
We may not be perfect, but our Heavenly Father loves us beyond measure! And may we delight to serve Him!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:
“Jesus has spoken, his is the Word, ours the obedience.”
He was right!