Lessons From A Sheep Dog, by Phillip Keller   –  a review

If you love Jesus and are a ‘dog person’, you will love this book. Phillip Keller parallels the love of a farmer (himself) for a seemingly worthless, hopeless, angry Border Collie named Lass. It is an illustration or parable of Christ’s great and compassionate love for us.

This is a quick, easy read. My old paperback copy is about 125 pages long. I’m not sure how many times I have re-read it over the past years. It is such a beautiful, touching portrayal of God’s love as He longingly reaches out to us in our dysfunctional and rebellious mistrust of Him.

Having lost my little Beagle several months ago, the parallels in this book as I read it yet again were especially moving. My own sweet Molly came to trust me and love me with an adoration and loyalty that I dearly miss. She followed in my footsteps, listened for my voice, nudged my hand for attention and companionship. God longs for this kind of a relationship with each of us.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until he shall have mercy upon us.   – Psalm 123:2 WBT

In Lessons From A Sheep Dog, Lass grows into a relationship of mutual love with her new master, who patiently reached out, waiting for her willing response. Her initial growling and mistrust eventually turns into absolute adoration and devotion.

Keller writes:

…I felt an enormous compassion for this beautiful dog. An intense longing permeated my whole being for her to come to me, to get to know me, to trust me, to learn to love me,to work with me, to be my friend.

God longs for such a relationship with us. He so faithfully reaches out over and over, knocking at the doors of our hearts. Softly and tenderly He calls to us.

The lovely moment when Lass finally responds is moving. As Keller writes, it’s a hint of how the angels respond with great joy each time one of us responds to God.

I highly recommend this book.