One of the first things that struck me about the city of Quito was the abundance of stray dogs.
When I would gaze out the windows of the bus, mangy and almost wild looking dogs would scatter the city, in the streets, in the dumpsters, in the alley-ways, laying on the sidewalks or waiting at some street vendor expectantly, even some roaming around on the roofs!
It became a common sight quite quickly, as dogs would run off in every which way when the bus would approach them. People didn’t even seem to notice them anymore because of how common they were.
My heart went out to those dogs, with bloodshot eyes and scars along their ribcage which protruded out of their body.
We were told not to touch or go near all the dogs because they could hold diseases, flees or be dangerous.
One work day, our maintenance boss, Enrique, brought his dog to work. His name was Capitán (meaning “Captain” in English) and was quite obviously a stray in his younger days. Capitán was a medium sized golden dog, whose golden coat looked a tired beige now, probably some sort of Labrador but with a build of Pitbull. He had rough fur with little scars lacing his body and nuzzle. He had bloodshot and untrusting eyes and would bow his head whenever we would approach him in submission.
Capitán adored Enrique. With every step Enrique would take, Capitán was right next to his feet as an eager and loyal friend and servant. When Enrique would get up on the roof to work, Capitán would sit on the ground directly beneath him and look up at him, waiting, just to be reunited with him again. We inferred that Enrique must have saved and brought home Capitán from his life as a stray.
It was touching and a little heart-wrenching.
A little time later, I was talking with my friend, Ellie, about how special that was and she made the most beautiful analogy.
She explained, “Seeing how Enrique saved Capitán’s life and how he never wanted to leave his side reminded me of the Father’s love for us. Jesus saved us and brought us home just like Enrique did to Capitán, so why don’t we follow Jesus’s every step and want to be with him forever, just like Capitán?”
That struck me, and it gave me a new perspective on to how deeply the Father loves us, and how much it probably hurts Him when we respond to his rescue with ignorance.
Just like Capitán, spiritually, I was a stray to the world, surviving out of circumstance and living solely for the next “meal”. Jesus didn’t care about the diseases, flees or danger that I could have brought him, he SOUGHT me out, found me, rescued me and brought me home to Him.
But in reality, I don’t act like Capitán all the time. I get lost, I forget, I pity myself and pretend that I was never rescued in the first place.
Yet God is standing there in front of me, confused at my ignorance but always meeting me with mighty Grace.
He says, “Child, I’m right here, you’re already home, you’re already free”
Capitán displays a beautiful example of the loyalty and love that our rescuer deserves.
Enrique’s stray dog, and the wisdom of my friend Ellie, taught me something phenomenal about the Father’s heart for us. It humbled me of my entitlement and reminded me of His love and grace at the same time.
I guess sometimes we all need to act more like Enrique’s stray dog.
