Sitting in our veterinarian’s waiting room with our cat secure in his carrier, I started a conversation with the woman next to me, who had a very large male rottweiler sitting quietly on the floor at her knee. He was on a loose leash, and when he turned his face to me, I could see that he was blind. The woman noticed my surprise, and said, “Yes, he’s blind, but he hardly notices his blindness. He was trained in German and in English and in sign language, but he’s retired now. We never knew him when he wasn’t blind, but he’s so confident, that he can still run. He runs to our voice, outdoors; and inside, he has memorized the furniture and has no trouble moving around. He’s a wonderful companion, and we’re even fonder of him than of the smaller female, who keeps us running all the time. Of course, she’s much younger.”

I was awed that this big, beautiful, obedient dog could still run and not even “notice” his own blindness. Apparently, his training had been so thorough that he had complete

confidence in the voices of his newest owners. It had created an affectionate bond with them.

Throughout the Old and new Testaments God seeks a loving bond with His people. He delights in David: I have found David,son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do. (Acts 13:22) Isaiah the prophet quoted the Lord:As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55: 9-11)

Everywhere we look there is evidence of the character of God in our fallen world. The word of God observing the rain and snow; the word explaining the great difference between God and man; the dog who overcomes his blindness through an obedience that brings him mobility and new life, are only a few. God sought David for the love that David would have for God, and for David’s ability to embrace unreserved obedience to Him.

The rottweiler’s ability to obey enabled him to overcome a potentially debilitating blindness. I believe that God seeks that ability in all of His children, and when He finds it, there rejoicing in Heaven.

Love in Him,

Prue