The Dead Dog Story
I had just turned off the freeway, turned left at the light, and headed up the street past 7-11. It was about 10 PM, dark, and there were no streetlights on this stretch of road. As I drove toward a stop sign I noticed something in the shallow ditch off to my right. “Was that a dog?” I thought to myself. I believed I could even tell what kind of dog – it looked like a German Shepherd. I thought, “Oh that’s too bad, someone’s pet has died and they will miss him.” As I stopped at the stop sign, the Lord spoke. “Why don’t you go and pray for him to be raised from the dead?” Somewhat startled I said, “Is this really you telling me this?” He said, “Go raise him from the dead.” Driving down the road I thought, well I could but I sure will look foolish. God spoke, “What if I want you to?” I responded, “Okay I will do it.” So I turned right at the next street to go around the block. As I stopped at the road to make a right I said, “I will do it, but if a car comes I won’t.” I pulled out and headed up to where the dog was. As I looked in my rear view mirror there was a car coming up from the freeway with headlights blazing – that’s how it looked to me. So I said, “God there’s a car coming and I don’t want to look foolish so I’ll just drive around the block again.” As I passed by the dog, I stared intently – yep there he was – I could even see his eyes reflecting the light. So I turned right and circled back around the block again. My heart was thumping, I was somewhat anxious and yet cautious at the same time not wanting for anyone to see me. I stopped again at the stop sign and waited a little while to see if any cars were coming. Nope. So off I went to the right. As I approached the dead dog I pulled off the road into this shallow ditch. As I did so my headlights illuminated the scene before me. There right in the middle of this ditch was a large black…TRASH BAG! “It’s a trash bag,” I blurted out feeling so foolish. I instantly turned back onto the road as anger and humiliation came over me. As I drove by I could clearly see that it was actually two trash bags filled with grass. “I’m so stupid”, I called out to myself and God and anyone else who could have heard me. I was laughing and tears were coming down at the ridiculousness of it all. I could swear I was seeing a dead dog! Not just once, but twice! I said, “God I bet you think I’m an idiot!” God spoke loudly and clearly, “I tell you what I see – someone who obeys me even if it makes them look foolish.” For the rest of the evening I was filled with the spirit and smothered in the love God has for me.
Over the years God has shown me how foolish it is to try to protect my precious reputation and be concerned over what others think of me. The only thing that really counts is what God thinks of me! To this day I am sure of what I saw, without one doubt I knew that there was a dead dog lying in that ditch – at least that’s what I thought I saw – I was sure of it! And to this day I know that God is looking for those whose hearts are completely his – so much so that they are willing even to look foolish for him.
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. (II Chronicles 16:9).
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Over the years God has shown me how foolish it is to try to protect my precious reputation and be concerned over what others think of me. The only thing that really counts is what God thinks of me! To this day I am sure of what I saw, without one doubt I knew that there was a dead dog lying in that ditch – at least that’s what I thought I saw – I was sure of it! And to this day I know that God is looking for those whose hearts are completely his – so much so that they are willing even to look foolish for him.
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. (II Chronicles 16:9).
Back to Life Stories
