Lessons from a Blind Dog and a Loving God
- Katina Wilkins
- Oct 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 19
I wasn’t prepared for how much it would hurt to watch my dog lose his sight. My sweet Jonah—once full of energy and confidence—now bumps into walls and scratches at door frames, not realizing the open space is just inches away. Every thud, every stumble feels like it lands right in my chest.
The last 3 days, he’s been waking us up in the middle of the night needing to go potty. It’s pitch dark at 4 a.m. A few times as I stumble out of bed and open his crate, I’ve tripped over the cage door—or even over him—without realizing he’s already out. I carry him down the stairs to the back door, hoping I don’t fall in the process. Each time, I think, This must be what it’s like for him every day. And my heart sinks even more for him.
He used to run to the mailbox. We’d say, “Jonah, you want to check the mail?” His tail would wag, and he’d be waiting at the door before we could even get our shoes on. Now, we have to put a leash on him and guide him carefully so he doesn’t hit the door frame or run into the flowerbed edging. What used to be a joy has turned into an ordeal.
We have trained him to hear our voices and come, but now only seems to work about 60% of the time. Watching Jonah try to navigate his world made me think—how often do I do the same with God? Trying to move forward in my own strength, not realizing I can’t really see the full picture, barely hearing God?
Today I took him for a short walk. He can’t go far anymore, so we just made it halfway down the street. He’s learned to recognize my leash movements to stay safe, but every once in a while, that stubborn streak kicks in and he decides he knows better. Today, it led him under a parked car and up neighbors’ lawns. All the while, I kept talking to him—guiding him back to the sidewalk with my voice.
As we were headed home, Jonah decided he wanted to check out the trashcan at our neighbor’s curb. I kept coaxing him away: “There’s a curb there, Jonah. Come! Come this way!” But he pulled harder in the other direction and tried to pee on the garbage can. Balancing on the curb with his three not-so-steady legs, he fell forward and landed upside down in the street.
As I watched him lying there, upside down, with his paws in the air, and helpless, something inside me broke—and then I heard God say:
“Now you know what it’s like for Me.”
That image of Jonah lying there brought my mind to sheep. Sheep can be stubborn and often find themselves upside down. Unlike Jonah, they don’t even know how to get up. These last few weeks, I’ve definitely felt like Jonah’s shepherd. Sometimes I feel like I need a rod and staff just to manage him in my own home.
Like a shepherd, I’ve realized how important it is for our pets to know our voices—to know when to stop, sit, and obey. Jonah is a rescue. He’s a smart and amazing dog, but every once in a while, he shows that wild streak (probably the one that led him to be a stray), and he goes against what we ask of him. Sometimes I’m amazed he’s still alive! Afterall, he’s gotten into chocolate three times, consuming enough to die each time.
The thing is, when I tell Jonah what I want, it’s always for his good. I can see the drop-offs and the food bowl he can’t find. I carry him when he can’t walk or go down the stairs. I love this dog, and I would never lead him toward harm. Every time he disobeys, he gets into trouble. But when he hears my voice and obeys, all is right with the world—and it might even get him a treat!
Why are we so much like Jonah with God? He’s training us, just like I’m training Jonah, to hear His voice and follow Him. He knows the way. He knows the danger. He knows what’s up ahead. He just needs us to listen to His voice and obey. He’ll never steer us wrong. He’s always looking out for our best interest.
So why does that stubborn streak in me still rise up—making me want to go my own way, try it my way, do it my way, curious to see what else is out there? Does this happen to you?
Now I know what it’s like for God. He loves me even more than I love Jonah—though that feels impossible. Jonah is my first dog. I didn’t even want one, but my youngest daughter kept praying for God to change my mind. Hmmm. Is that like the people who keep rejecting Christ until He finally softens their hearts and they say yes? Adopting Jonah was one of the best yeses I’ve ever said. Saying yes to Jesus was even greater. The bond between a dog and its owner is such a beautiful reflection of the bond between the Lord and His adopted children.
Maybe you’ve been bumping into walls lately too—trying to find your way in the dark.
Could it be that God is calling your name, gently tugging at your leash, inviting you to trust His voice again?
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27
O Holy Father, thank You for showing me Your immense love for me. Thank You for letting me experience this through Jonah—our second-chance dog. Thank You for the second chances You give to me. Thank You for being my great Shepherd who directs me to my daily bread and living waters, to the straight paths and places with great rewards. Forgive me when those stubborn streaks arise in me, and help me quickly hear Your voice before I get too far down my own roads. Lord, help me find comfort in Your voice and desire Your ways, which are always best for me and never lead to harm. You love me with a love so deep—help me feel it deep in my soul. And when I feel empty, remind me to run back to You, to connect to You to fill every need. I think of how I put my face up to Jonah and such a sweet connection happens. Lord, that connection will one day end for him, but it will never end with You. In Jesus I pray, Amen.
Take a few moments today to sit quietly and ask, “Lord, where am I resisting Your voice?”
Then, like Jonah, let Him lead you home.
If you’re longing to hear God’s voice more clearly, I’d love to walk that journey with you. Reach out—I’d love to help.
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