I remember the first time someone pointed out that d-o-g spelled backward is g-o-d. And at the time I probably thought that the person was a little nutty.
But now I’m really starting to wonder if there *is* something to it, like a divine connection between humans and dogs.
My brother recently adopted a rescue dog from a no kill shelter. This dog could fit into a microwave (just a guess). And it’s some sort of terrier mix from Miami named Cuco.
And I think this dog has some god-like qualities. For starters, it stays right with my brother and if given the choice, it would much rather be near his heart than left outside.
Another god-like trait is that at night, if he hears my brother having a nightmare, he snuggles in close and comforts my brother with all kinds of little kisses.
For anyone who suffers from emotional or psychological distress, a companion dog can be the closest we get to the incarnation of a compassionate god.
The god that I’m thinking about is a god of comfort, compassion, and faithfulness…a god that won’t let you out of sight and is right there to lick your wounds…whether that be a broken heart or a broken mind.
It’s true that this little dog is not as smart as god…and it’s far from perfect.
But I think God was smart in creating little things in this world, like babies and dogs, to help show us some kind of love just when we need it most.
Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund 