Ruby the Evangelist is a dog—our new dog. She is a nine-month old black lab mix (with perhaps a bit of flat coated retriever in her) that we rescued from the Herkimer Animal Shelter. To say that Ruby is an evangelist (one who brings good news) is not an exaggeration. In the few short weeks she’s been part of our family I have met more people in Clinton than ever before. On our walks around the village her sweet nature invites many opportunities to stop and greet people of all ages. I now know the names of a paraplegic and his friend who sit outside Mojoz. I’ve seen them for years but never stopped to say “hello”. With Ruby by my side I’m much more aware of loneliness and loss, grief and sadness in this community as strangers come up and easily share their stories with me of loved ones they have lost. On the other hand I’ve seen tentative children, like cute little red-headed Ella, garner the courage to pet Ruby and then break out in a huge smile as she overcame her fear. Yes, Ruby is teaching me a great deal about being available to hear the hurts of others and not being afraid to respond with love and care. By creating space in our home and hearts for her she is opening me more fully to what it means to offer hospitality to the stranger and loving my neighbor as myself.
In his book on a compassionate, nonviolent approach to dog training, Paul Owens surmises that surely Jesus or Buddha or Moses had some four-legged friends hanging around them and with this notion imagines how they would have treated a dog. “Sit, you miserable cur!” doesn’t sound very plausible nor does swatting a dog with a scroll. What Owens does believe is that our capacity to love opens the door to compassionate dog training, all under a spirituality of nonviolence using gentleness and positive reinforcement.
The way I see it, this treatment of a dog—using gentle persuasion based on kindness, respect and compassion with a flexible yet uncompromising attitude—is a pretty good approach for us to take as Christians with others. To be an evangelist is to share the Good News of Christ with the world with compassion and kindness. It’s not about hitting people over the head with the Bible or condemning others for differing beliefs. Rather it means we stake our claim on the saving grace of God for all people and live out that love in tangible ways—loving our neighbor, greeting the stranger, respecting the dignity of every living thing, listening with compassion, working for justice and peace.
It is just amazing to me how God can and does use all creatures for good in the world. When we are willing to open our hearts to others, they in turn are open to us. The way I see it Ruby the black lab is a God-sent evangelist eager to greet everyone, making them feel special and loved. (But not to worry if you are afraid of dogs or evangelists, with all Ruby’s exuberance we are keeping her on a short leash!)