Pistol's Purpose

When I saw Pistol, there was no doubt about it, no back and forth. Hands down, she was the one. She was a tiny black Pomeranian girl in a sea of her much larger black Pomeranian brothers. She was beautiful, tiny, and precious!

Now, I was looking for a puppy for my children to give to them as a Christmas present. At the time, I was in a sad marriage with a man who typically attended only to his own wants. But to my surprise he announced one day that I was to find a small housedog for the kids for Christmas, and it needed to be a girl – they're more protective of their home, was his logic.

The mission I had been given was in and of itself a miracle. A small house dog? The man giving me the mission always claimed a firm belief that animals belonged outside; humans belonged inside.

Here I now stood in another phase of the miracle – five puppies; four Baby Hughie boy dogs, and one precious tiny girl! No need to search further. Mission accomplished. Little did I know that this tiny bundle of joy would not only be a Christmas present to my kids from their parents, but she would be a longtime companion gift to me straight from the Lord, Himself.

On the drive home with our new puppy, she curled up in my palm, which I held close to my chest. She scooted as close to me as she could. During that 45 minute drive, the amazing bond between us was formed. She was a precious joy seared on my heart, and I was instantly her EVERYTHING.

Christmas morning she was presented to the kids who were thrilled to have her to be a part of the family. Before the day was done, we had named this spunky ball of energy, Pistol.
We have had Pistol for nine years now. Nine years of greeting me with more enthusiasm than I have ever seen. Nine years of sleeping on my pillow, snuggled against my shoulder and head. Nine years of jumping up and following me anytime I move.

I am no longer married. During times of divorce, financial woes, heartaches, and loneliness, Pistol has showered me with, I love yous; I need yous, you're my everythings, the way only a dog can do. I have been aware the entire time we have had this little dog that she was a direct, hand-picked gift to me from God, which I would need to fulfill certain lackings in my heart. I have thanked Him a thousand times for His gift to me.

It is so clear why God created these creatures. They love so unconditionally. They hurt and worry when we are sad or angry. During these times, they rush by our side with a countenance that shouts "I care!" "I hurt, when you hurt." If we are excited about anything, they pick up on that too. There is their countenance again – "I am so thrilled too! I don't know what about, but if you're happy, I'm happy!" What an uncommon connection their little hearts have to ours! It can only be explained that they are gifts from the Lord.

As I see it, a dog was designed to love us, care about what we care about – empathize, warn us of danger and protect us, be cute and pleasing to the eye and touch, and to need us so completely as to cause no doubt between us that we are the master and their lives are fulfilled, cared for, and nourished through us alone.

What a beautiful reflection of our relationship to our Master. Pistol depends completely upon me. I am her everything. I sustain her life and am her fulfilling source of joy. Sure, I let her run in the park where there are birds to chase, cars to bark at, and dead lizards to roll in, but she never seems to fail to understand that I am her everything; that apart from me, all those additional joys aren't enough.

My mastership is not a bad thing in Pistol's eyes. She takes comfort in my total control because she knows that I know things she does not. She knows that in my love for her, there is safety, comfort, and freedom to be what she was designed to be.

This is the way it is between us and our Master. There are careers to chase, sports events to cheer at, and smelly responsibilities to tend to, but only because our Master lets us run in the park of life to play and explore. But still, He is our everything. We depend completely upon Him. He sustains our lives and is our full source of joy. He absolutely knows things that we do not know.

Pistol fulfills her purpose within her relationship with me effortlessly each day because it is simply who she is.

That's what I would like for myself. I want to fulfill my purpose within my relationship with Jesus – to know Him, to long to be with Him, to perk up at the sound of His voice and come running when He calls, and stay in constant anticipation of His presence. For me, I know I want it to be effortless because it's simply who I am.

While she is here and long after she is gone, I will always be grateful for my little Pistol and the lessons she has taught me.