Scripture Reading: John 21:16

I once heard a story about a great Kentucky preacher named T.T. Eaton. Dr. Eaton told about his younger brother who LOVED a mongrel dog. The family felt the dog was not even worth shooting, but the boy and his dog were inseparable.

Dr. Eaton’s brother would try to swipe the best cuts of meat for his dog and would sneak the mutt into the house on cold nights. The family, however, would allow only the scraps and would chase the dog out of the house with a broom. The boy loved the dog and the family despised it.

Friend, take time today to see people as God sees them.

One day the boy was preparing to go visit his grandmother on an extended stay, and as he was saying his goodbyes, the dog came running around the house tail wagging, as if to say, “Can I go?” Sadly, the boy patted his dog on its head and told it that he would be going alone. Tearfully, he turned to his family and made them promise that they would be nice to his dog and take good care of it. The family laughingly agreed to the boy’s terms and so he went on to Grandma’s.

Tragedy struck the boy, and he died of “slow fever.” Before long, he returned home in a little wooden coffin for a very sad funeral. Dr. Eaton would then tell of how if you were to visit his old homestead, you would see a very well taken care of old dog sitting by the fireplace, eating the best of food. Why? What had changed? The family and the dog were the same, but their actions were the complete opposite. It was not that they loved the dog, but they loved the BOY who loved the dog!

Friend, take time today to see people as God sees them. We MUST love the ones HE loves! Jesus DIED for ALL of us!