There is a dog here in Nepal, black and gentle. We call him almost ironically “Nepal” . He follows us everywhere, sometimes even into shops where the owners push him out and make him to wait for us outside. He has assumed a role of protection over us, waiting on us to walk down the street with him and even barking at people that seem threatening to him.
Life is hard for a street dog in Nepal, people aren’t as friendly to animals in other places of the world. Our friend has walked the streets not knowing what love was and when finding a safe place to sleep he has been kicked and beaten. Despite rejection from the locals here he has not given up on love. He has looked past all of the hurt and even visible scarring and open cuts on his tattered black fur and chosen to seek out friendship and found it in our squad, if only for a little while. The things this dogs has seen and been though have not diffined humans for him.
I can’t help but think that the Lord has placed Nepal the dog in my life to remind me of the story of Jesus and how I should also behave. Jesus knew the character of his Father was inside each person and he also new the fleshly nature of the people he had come to redeem but, he chose love. My pain doesn’t even compare to that of even the dog that has given me unconditional love. Could it be that this dog could have with in it’s small heart more characteristics of the Father the me how has been created in his image?
Now, here me out, I am aware that I have the spirit of the living God within me but I am also noticing that I am not as grace giving as this sweet dog. I also believe this dog shows one of the characteristics of the Father I have noticed in the people of Nepal the nation. It was a hard adjustment for me to come to Nepal. I fell in love with India, the people and culture there and I was not grieving leaving very well and although Nepal was welcoming and kind I wanted nothing to do with it. I chose to not love Nepal to avoid being hurt by leaving again.
In the few days I had been here I already decided not to love people her despite their nature to love me. Then in walks Nepal the dog, with all his gentle love my heart is reminded to love, love past pain and past goodbyes. I heard the Lord speak over me goodbyes are just another opportunity to say hello.
Today, I woke up and looked to say hello to Nepal the nation and its people and in doing so I got to experience what the Lord had for me here and that was joy. I know that I will say hello to India again but Nepal is where the Lord has placed me today and I should find the love in it. India was hospitable in ways I could not explain, giving the most of themselves, and the people there are forever in my heart but Nepal is adventures in a way that teaches me to ask for more.
There seeking for excitement is already showing me my need to go deeper in life and with God. Today was a beautiful day here I was able to step behind the counter of the lovely coffee shop I have been spending time at and make my favorite drink, a cappuccino. They were so nice when I asked and so helpful to try and teach me what to do. People here want to share life and give experience, they smile brightly and are quick to ask if “That is ok”.
What a gentle place you are Nepal. You are not India and you will never fill that part of my heart but I am making a space for to teach me. I have grieved my part and am now open to to you. Thank you for gentle as you called me into being here.
