About 4 months ago my younger brother called me with some bad news. His beloved friend and companion, Sir Reginald Fieldhouse, had been diagnosed with lymphoma, and he had two to three months to live. Today, on February 17, 2014, Reggie was laid to rest. Dog's a such fine creatures. They truly are man's best friend. And no dog I've ever known has exemplified that quite like Reggie. As I know his passing has been hard on my brother and his girlfriend, I've been praying much for them today, and reflecting on the life of such a loyal dog. And I'm amazed at how much they are able to teach us. And so here is what Reggie has truly helped me learn about myself, especially my faith life.
Reggie was a rescue dog. He was a dog at a shelter that some people snub their noses at because they cannot be as loveable as some purebred or pup. And yet my brother chose him and took him home and loved him. I am Reggie. I'm the rescue dog that has screwed up. I'm a little dirty and rough around the edges. And yet God has picked me. Our eyes met and He got really excited and said 'that one.' And took me home and put a little extra love in me and showed me that I am worthy of love. Some people would snub their noses at who I am, but God sees me in my mess and He loves me in spite of it all.
There was never a dog so friendly and loyal as Reggie. Whenever my brother would have to leave him at our parents' - he got Reggie while still in college and there were some rules about dogs living where he was - Reggie would always sit and wait by the door an extra long time. Sometimes, he was just going out to get the mail, sometimes he was leaving for a few weeks. Waiting. Just waiting and hoping that my brother would walk back in it. During these times he might cozy up to another, typically anyone else who was home, but always returning to my brother the moment he walked into the door. There are times when we feel abandoned. Like God has walked out of the house and left us there. And sometimes if we just sit and wait He will walk right back in and we will be comforted again. Sometimes we'll have to wait awhile. But He is always walking back through that door. Always.
No matter who walked into the house or my brother's apartment, Reggie was there to offer a quick hello. Obviously if it was my brother, nothing could contain his joy. Jumping and wagging his bottom (he didn't really have much of a tail so his whole butt wagged) at seeing his master. If it wasn't my brother, he was still so excited to see them. He would say hello, give a little sniff and then run back to his master and sit right by him, as if claiming him. We always need to be just as quick to offer a warm greeting. Say hello and then go and sit at the Master's feet. Claiming God as our own and leading others to the Master of our house. And yet, when Reggie would travel to my brother, when he entered my brother's home, he would run right to his master excitedly. Oh that we would do the same when we enter a church. Running straight to God with gusto.
Finally, Reggie was rarely apart from my brother whenever he was around. If Reggie was in the same house as my brother, he would follow my brother everywhere. To the couch. The refrigerator. To bed. For walks. Where my brother was, Reggie was not far behind. Were it that we kept God so close in our lives. That wherever our Lord was, there we were. For some of us, that means merely stepping into a church to say hello. For some of us, God is calling us to walk among the poor, the broken, the hopeless. After all, you never know where you may find a rescue dog.
While, I'm sad to hear news of his passing, Reginald Fieldhouse was a hell of a dog, and I will have many fond memories of the little pup. So if you're keeping me in your prayers, remember my brother and his girlfriend as well when you read this. It's never easy to let go of a friend, especially not one as loyal. And know of my prayers for you. Whether you're a purebred, brought home as a pup, a pound dog or a rescue pup, know that you are loved.
God bless.
