In one month, their story has gone viral on Facebook.
A man.
His dog.
And the sacrificial love that has captured hearts around the world.
Newspapers around the world have picked up the story. The YouTube video has been viewed a quarter of a million times. The Facebook page set up a month ago has garnered nearly 50,000 Likes.
Meet John Unger and his dog Schoep. Every night, John cradles his 19-year old arthritic dog in his arms and wades into the warm summer waters of Lake Superior to ease the pain in Schoep's joints and lull him to sleep.
A photography friend, touched by John's unrivalled love for his beloved pet, snapped the photo that has melted hearts across the globe. She said, "That photo captured a moment, a moment of pure contentment and love and surrender and just bliss."
Every night. Without fail. John takes Schoep to the lake.
To savor the moments left with his faithful companion.
To do everything he can to ease Schoep's pain.
What is it about sacrificial love that evokes such a reaction?
Simply this: Deep down, don't we all want to be loved to that degree?
When we hurt we want to be cradled and soothed.
When we can't take care of ourselves, we need to know that someone will.
We want to be cherished beyond measure.
If life has delivered some painful blows, perhaps you believe that kind of love won't ever happen to you.
But it already has.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
If you're having one of those hard, doubting days where the enemy does his best work, remember:
Every day. Without fail. God reaches out to you.
To spend every moment He can with His beautiful child.
To do everything He can to show you how much He loves you.
God invites us to rest against Him in complete contentment. He cradles you in the strength of His might every single second of every single day. He calls you to wade into the waters of Baptism toward Him to soothe your pain for all eternity.
He loves you with an everlasting love.
How has this inspired you today?
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So ... I showed my husband and my daughter this post. And then we watched the video. And my daughter cried. Started her day off right, didn't I?
ReplyDeleteActually, I did.
She has a tender heart for animals -- especially dogs.
And now she has a vivid reminder of how much God loves her.
Thank you, Donna, for the way you weave truth through the ordinary -- and the not-so-ordinary.
Beth, I love how much you love your family and animals. Dogs are amazing. God's love IS truth, my Friend. And you know that -- and share it -- so beautifully. Hugs!
DeleteI'm not an animal person, but this was truly beautiful. And reading through as you reminded me of the sacrificial love of Jesus brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSacrificial love - we all need it, Fiend - and thanks to God, we have it for all eternity. LOVE!
DeleteWow! What a picture...and what a perfect comparison! So glad I clicked by today!
ReplyDeleteLacie, how wonderful to see you here! I'm so glad this touched you today, sweet Friend.
DeleteUm, thanks for making me cry!! Especially since we just got a new puppy this week. The idea of either of my doggies hurting makes me so sad. And yes, I would do whatever I could to ease their pain.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that God feels that way about me...well, I never thought of it like that.
And it just overwhelms me.
Lindsay, you are beautiful inside and out. It's such a privilege to know you, sweet Friend. Thanks so much for sharing that today!
DeleteGuess I needed a good little cry this morning sister! YES, we do all want to be loved don't we? Praise the Lord...He loves us unconditionally! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteCindy, I just love your tender heart. Hugs!
DeleteDonna, I hadn't seen this picture before, so thank you for sharing. I especially loved this: "When we hurt we want to be cradled and soothed. When we can't take care of ourselves, we need to know that someone will. We want to be cherished beyond measure." Yes! In the times I've been hurt the most, or in the most pain, it's those times when I feel alone and without anyone to care for me. The truth is that I have a Father who will never fail to care for me - but the lie that He's left me on my own is what fuels my pain. When I choose to believe He's never left me or forsaken me, that's when I return to contentment and peace.
ReplyDelete