Snoopy

Snoopy entered peacefully into his final hunting ground this morning, February 5, 2024. He was born December 4, 2012, and I am thankful for the good, long life he lived. Pets truly become members of our families. He was not only my fur baby, though. He was my coworker and my best friend. One of my favorite memories of my beloved dog happened when he was just a few months old.

Training him to respect the leash, I was walking Snoopy through our small hometown on my way to pick up my son from school. On the other side of the street were two boys. The youngest called out, “Hey!” The older boy said, “Do you know her?” “No,” the younger boy replied, “but I know Snoopy!” And so began the infamous career of the most popular dog I’ve ever owned. Never have I had a dog that garnered so much attention. The elementary school kids squealed with delight when I’d walk Snoopy there after school. Even a couple of the teachers looked for him and relished the opportunity to rub his furry red ears. There wasn’t a soul Snoopy didn’t like. He’d wag his little stub of a tail and leave a trail of white fur as he rubbed up against legs looking for attention, and he was never disappointed. As I think about the life of my best friend, I praise God for his creation. I’m amazed how much there is to learn from eleven years with a Brittany Spaniel.

Jesus was accused of eating and drinking with sinners (Matthew 11:18-19). He was accused of overlooking their lifestyles (Luke 7:39). He was looked down upon for accepting the ones the world, and especially the church, would not accept (Luke 5:30). Still, he ate with them anyway. He celebrated with them anyway. He didn’t make a public spectacle of people’s sin. He just quietly challenged them to repent while he loved them in the mess he found them in (John 8:5-11). That’s exactly what Snoopy did.

Snoopy had no idea who were sinners and who weren’t. He didn’t know what their sins were, and he didn’t care. He greeted every person equally with a wagging tail. He didn’t growl or look anyone over before presenting his furry ears to be scratched. Because of that, everybody loved him. The whole community, I’m sure, can credit at least one of their smiles to Snoopy’s presence. Isn’t that what we’re called to be like as Christ’s body on earth?

God calls us to be the light of the earth (Matthew 5:14). I had always considered that teaching in my mind, but never considered its meaning in my heart. I know we are to be the light and the world is a dark place. However, now I really understand what that’s supposed to look like. Are people happy to see me when I am around? Do I leave them with a smile? Do I make them feel loved without condemnation or judgement? Do I gently and quietly challenge them to be better people or do I look down on them and discuss my opinion of their lifestyles with others? I know God’s presence in me will not bring joy to everybody. There were many who hated Jesus (Mark 13:13) and because I am a follower of his, there are some who definitely do not smile when I’m around. Still, am I learning how to love?

Fortunately, our Lord doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He knows we just can’t be. Yet, he challenges us to try. I believe the best way to honor him, and the loved ones we lost, is to not give up. Let’s choose to be more like Jesus. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us by filling in the gaps of our humanity and smoothing our rough edges. It’s only in surrendering to our Lord’s will and his ways that we can be free to love others without damage to our own hearts and minds. Then, we will have an answer we can be pleased with when Jesus asks us, “Did you learn how to love?”

 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35 CSB