A couple days ago I finally became dear friends with our host family’s dog, Chiquita.
This is a momentous triumph!! And let me explain why…
When we first arrived at our host’s house in Cajamarca we got a grand tour which spanned every floor of the home. Most families in this town keep their dogs on the roof.
When we stepped out into the bright sunlight we were cautioned toward the ledge away from the snarling, growling, aggressive Chiquita. Our host’s daughter explained she has not seen many people and warned us to be very wary and careful of her, as she shooed her away with a stick.
I of course asked if we could pet her but she said no, she would most likely bite.
So here was my dilemma, the only thing I love more than quiet, serene rooftop views… Is DOGS!!
And you know who else knows this well and knows me well? The Lord.
So in the following weeks, every other day or so, I would seek the presence of the Lord in the stillness and fresh air of our roof.
At first I was terrified because every time I went up, Chiquita would bark ferociously and growl at me. But she always kept her distance. Glaring at me from afar, backing up slowly and sideways.
She exhibits all the signs of an animal formerly abused. Anything raised above her head, she cowers. Even while we hang laundry. She doesn’t allow anyone within 10 feet. She begins barking randomly and is always scared in your presence.
And yet, my courage grew. Or maybe it was just outweighed by the quiet, and the gorgeous mountain views I could partake in up there. So I continued to go up to the roof, each day speaking softly and sweetly to Chiquita. Each day trying to sit just a few feet closer to her. Calling her gently to me. Determined to befriend her.
For the longest time it didn’t work. At all. And I’m talking weeks of this. I was beginning to think she was a lost cause. Too mean. Too affected by her past to ever get close to.
Until one day.
See Chiquita desperately longs to go outside on the ground floor. But because of the other dogs in the neighborhood, for her safety she is not allowed. One afternoon, she broke through the stairwell gate and ran all the way downstairs. We all took turns trying to coax her back up from afar, afraid she would bite us if we got too close. Then after awhile something made me draw close to her. I took a risk and sat down next to her on the step.
To my great surprise she jumped partially into my lap and began to whimper!
I PET HER!!
We finally convinced her back onto the roof and went on with the day. But this stuck in my mind.
I thought about how, in her desperation for freedom from her circumstances she was willing to turn to the closest form of affection and hope…
So the next day I went back up on the roof. She cowered from me but didn’t make a sound. So I took another risk and got as close as she would let me. I extended my hand as I had been for weeks, and when she didn’t back away I reached to pet her… And she LET ME!! I sat and pet her gently, reassuring her and speaking to her tenderly for an hour. It was incredible!!
And you know what? The Lord met me there. He convened with me and this knowingly shy, unknowingly sweet dog. And he told me this:
There are people in this world who are just like Chiquita.
They have learned that people hurt you. Protect yourself from them. Keep your distance, be mean and aggressive if you have to. Don’t let them get close and don’t ever trust them. They mean you harm. Don’t listen to their kind words because they are a trick. Keep your distance and always a suspicious eye.
He told me to find the “Lost Causes”, the mean ones, the ones who keep their distance. Because with gentleness and time, all can be won back with love.
I have lost my quiet place on the roof, because now whenever I go up all Chiquita will allow me to do is pet her. She sits close to me, lays her head on my arm and paws at me anytime there is a break in the affection. She kisses my face and pursues me wherever I walk. After 3 long weeks of consistent gentleness I earned her trust and now we have a sweet bond that was worth the wait.
I think if I pet and loved Chiquita for hours everyday it would never be enough. But for the lost, hurt, abused, mean people of this world, on this World Race… We get to introduce them to their Savior, their Heavenly Father. The one who will love them perfectly and forever. Know them like we never could. The One who will keep loving and healing them long after we are gone.
And I hope they will never get enough.
So yes, God spoke to me through a dog. Because the Father knows my heart, He knows how much I love dogs and He knows my potential to love people. And He wants us to know His heart for them too. To tell them how much and how well He loves them.
I will seek after the mean ones, and never believe in a lost cause again.
Because in Christ all things are possible.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled…”
Matthew 5: 3-6…
