Six months ago, we bought a puppy—a three-month-old bundle of energy. Now, six months into dog ownership, life has been busy, fun, and completely changed. One of my main goals has been to train this puppy well—essentially, to “raise a dog in the way it should go.” While doing so, I’ve discovered surprising lessons about following Jesus.

I recently read a book by a dog trainer named Doggy Dan, titled What the Dogs Taught Me About Being a Parent. He explains how training dogs taught him valuable parenting lessons. Inspired by that, I realised my dog has also taught me two key lessons about discipleship.

1. Trusting God’s Lead

One of my biggest challenges is stopping my dog from pulling on the lead during walks. She tugs in every direction—wanting to sniff here, explore there, and dart after anything that catches her attention. Meanwhile, I’m holding the leash, thinking, If you would just walk with me, I’d take you somewhere good!

Isn’t that how we are with God sometimes? Psalm 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.” God has a good path for us, but we often pull away, eager to follow our own desires. If only we trusted Him, He would lead us to peace, joy, and fulfilment.

2. Obeying When Called

Another goal for my puppy is to teach her to come when I call—every time, not just when she feels like it. Right now, she loves chasing seagulls on the beach. If I call her, she’ll sprint toward me… and then run right past like I don’t exist! I realise this is exactly how we sometimes treat Jesus.

Jesus calls us for a reason—to guide, protect, and lead us in love. Yet, how often do we rush past Him, distracted by our own plans? Just like I call my dog to keep her safe, Jesus calls us because He knows what’s best. Our greatest response is simple: obey.

Walking in Faith

If you’re a dog owner, you’ve likely experienced the joys and struggles of training a puppy. But beyond that, maybe God is using those moments to teach you something deeper. He wants to lead you beside still waters, to guide you on the right path, and to call you for a purpose.

The best thing we can do? Trust Him. Follow His lead. And when He calls, come running.

Hopefully, the next time you hear from me, my puppy will have made some progress. But in the meantime, may we all grow in walking faithfully with Jesus!

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva

Parenting comes with countless responsibilities. From being a driver to a doctor, an advisor to a school counsellor, parents wear many hats. But one role stands out as non-negotiable: being the gatekeeper.

“Parents, especially dads, need to step up and set boundaries,” said Pastor Joel Cheliah, a former kids pastor with nine years of experience. “It’s not an easy job, but it’s crucial.”

Joel shared that his journey into parenting was humbling. “I thought I knew everything about kids before I had them. I used to give advice to parents as a kids pastor. Then we had our first child who broke every rule and pushed every boundary,” he said with a laugh.

What Does It Mean to Be a Gatekeeper?

Joel drew inspiration from the book of Exodus, where parents were instructed to mark their homes with lamb’s blood as a boundary against harm. “As parents, we set the boundaries for what enters our homes,” Joel explained. “It doesn’t matter if you’re the fun dad or the cool dad. You still have a responsibility to protect your family.”

Challenges Dads Face

Being the gatekeeper isn’t always met with applause. “You’ll hear things like ‘I hate you’ or ‘Everyone else’s parents let them do it,’” Joel admitted. “But every parent hears that. It’s tough, but it’s your God-given authority, and your kids will thank you later.”

Joel reflected on his own children, now aged 21, 19, and 17. “They actually thank us now for the boundaries we set, especially when they see friends who struggled because their parents didn’t,” he said.

Practical Tips for Parents

For those wondering where to start, Joel offered practical advice. “We monitored the music our kids listened to. If they broke the rules, there were consequences,” he shared.

Phone usage was another area. “We checked their phones and didn’t allow phones in their rooms overnight when they were younger,” Joel said.

He also emphasised the importance of knowing your kids’ friends. “We encouraged friendships we approved of and made alternative plans when we weren’t comfortable,” he added.

Parenting is challenging, but being the gatekeeper is essential. As Joel put it, “You’ve got to protect the gate.”

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva Pro