{"id":19803,"date":"2026-03-11T08:17:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T08:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/uncategorized\/his-dog-taught-him-a-lesson-in-forgiveness\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T06:08:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:08:39","slug":"his-dog-taught-him-a-lesson-in-forgiveness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/positive-living\/his-dog-taught-him-a-lesson-in-forgiveness\/","title":{"rendered":"His Dog Taught Him a Lesson in Forgiveness"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cBe kind and compassionate to one another; forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.\u201d\u2014Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)<\/em><\/p>\n

If looks could kill, I\u2019d have been dead twice over.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d taken Gracie to one of her favorite places<\/a>\u2014Tractor Supply Company. Gracie has trained the cashiers there to give her treats, planting her big paws on the counter. Smart girl. But I had a secret agenda, and when Gracie perceived my nefarious plan, I got the look.<\/p>\n

A bath.<\/p>\n

At the rear of the store is a little doggie spa with tubs, shampoo, towels, blow dryers, combs, everything you need to bathe your dog.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never understood how a dog who loves to roll in mud finds a bath so objectionable. I talk softly to her and ply her with treats, and she still acts as if she\u2019s been led to the gallows.<\/p>\n

At home, she retires to one of her several beds and shows me her back. Turning their backs is a way dogs sometimes demonstrate that they are upset with you. Today she was particularly adamant in her affect. Even when I brought her a peace offering<\/a>\u2014a bit of string cheese, her favorite\u2014she snatched the treat from me without making eye contact.<\/p>\n

So I settled in to watch the Yankees drop another game to the Rays. I was nodding off when I felt a cold nudge on my hand. Gracie. She looked up at me as if to say, \u201cAll is forgiven.<\/a> Let\u2019s be friends again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forgiveness is difficult. I\u2019m not always as magnanimous as my dog. I can cling to a grudge.<\/a> Maybe I derive satisfaction in nursing a sense of injustice. Yet I know that forgiveness is a necessary ingredient in a strong faith<\/a>. Jesus came to earth to forgive our sins. We are expected to forgive. I scratched behind Gracie\u2019s ears, and she laid her head on my knee. It was nice to be friends again.<\/p>\n

Lord, you know I have trouble forgiving a wrong. Today help me let go of a resentment and take a closer step toward you.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Excerpted from Walking in Grace<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

READ MORE ABOUT FORGIVENESS:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n