[A most unique article of illustration by my good friend Moose Parks, Missionary/Pastor, Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands. As you read it think about Caleb (Num.14:23-24), whose name means ‘faithful dog’ and his life’s faithfulness to our Lord: share it with your children.]
I commenced my ministry on the island Saint Lucia in 1985. An attempt to steal some items from our porch was made the first day we moved into our residence. My wife Sandy immediately informed me that we needed a guard dog. Shortly afterward, upon my arrival from a six-week’s trip to the neighboring island Saint Kitts, Sandy met me at the door and told me that she and the children had during my absence obtained a guard dog. I was told to wait at the door until he had checked me out. When she summoned the dog, our children Dee and CJ, who then were seven and five years old, came bounding out of a bedroom and down the hall, hotly pursued by a little puppy trying to keep up with them. “His name is Sparky!” they announced. He was so tiny that he had to be carried up the steps. Sparky proved to be faithful to the family. On one occasion, while still a puppy, a neighbor’s dog charged toward Sandy and our children. Sparky dutifully stepped between my family and their attacker. The other dog effortlessly picked him up in his mouth and flung him away. Sparky again intervened, but again was tossed away. This continued until the other dog’s owner intervened. Sparky lost that battle. But he had in it proven his faithfulness to his family. When he matured, he proved to be a most reliable guard dog. When we closed the gates and doors of our residence at evening, he seemed to sense that it was time for him to go on duty. From behind the closed gate, he conducted himself in such a manner that any would-be intruder knew it would be foolhardy to invade his turf. To the best of our knowledge, no one attempted to do so. We felt very secure when Sparky was on duty. We loved Sparky so much that we brought him with us when we returned to the USA in 1993. But during the next few years, the effects of old age began to show in his slowing step and the graying hairs on his face. And he no longer bounded up the steps as quickly as he had in earlier years. >>>>> Make yourselves merry with the people of God, and try to live happily before men; for so will you prove to us—to demonstrate, that even to old age God is with you, and that when your strength faileth, he is still your preservation. –C.H. Spurgeon
NURSERY: Oct. 21st, Julie / Oct. 28th, Brittnee WEDNESDAY NITES: Oct. 24th, Brittnee / Oct. 31st, Amber CLEANING SERVICE: Oct.21, Amber—Oct.28, Cheryl—Nov.4, Patsy—Nov.11, Kim—Nov.18, Shirley—Nov.25, --Amber—Other’s help too REMINDERS: Sat. morning, Nov. 3, Winter Clean-up of the yards and buildings. Pressure washing & etc. ***** Continued: One morning I opened the door to let him out and said as I usually did, “Sparky, come!” He looked up at me from where he stood at the bottom of the basement steps, but would not come. I said a bit sternly, “Sparky, come!” He still would not obey. I then raised my voice and commanded, “Sparky, come!” He yet would not obey. I ran down the steps to prod him. He then attempted to ascend the steps, but stumbled. I finally realized that he was physically unable to climb the steps. I took him to the veterinarian, who examined him and then told me my faithful companion would no longer be able to climb steps because of crippling arthritis. Every morning afterward, I would tenderly lift Sparky into my bosom and carry him up the steps while lovingly speaking to him – just as I did many years before when he was a puppy. E’en down to old age all My people shall prove My sovereign, eternal unchangeable love; And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne. The Lord used this experience to teach me a blessed truth concerning the care of Christ for His sheep. As I lovingly carried Sparky when he was a puppy so does Christ carry His sheep when they are lambs (Isa.40:11): “He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” As Sparky was faithful to his master, so are Christ’s sheep faithful to their Shepherd (John 10:41); “And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” As I lovingly carried Sparky when He was old and feeble, so does Christ carry His sheep when their age and infirmity prevents them from keeping up with the rest of the flock (Isa.46:4): “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” I presently take great delight in serving my Master, and intend to never desert Him. I take great delight also in knowing that He will not desert me when I am too old and feeble to serve Him, and will carry me to His eternal home in His loving arms. –D. Parks
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