Our Bernese Mountain Dog doesn't come to work with me most days. She's an outside dog. She's happiest roaming the yard, lying in the shade and keeping an eye on her little corner of the world. Every time I pull back in the driveway she's there waiting, tail going, looking at me like I've been gone a month when I just ran into town.
Every once in a while I'll throw her in the truck to get her out. She doesn't bark at strangers or put on a show. She's more teddy bear than guard dog, but she's big enough that people take one look and step back. That always makes me smile, because she isn't fierce at all. She's faithful.
Quiet faithfulness
Faithfulness doesn't have to be loud. A lot of the time it's just showing up day after day without anybody noticing. She isn't trying to prove anything. She's just steady. Proverbs 20:6 says, "Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?"
What she's taught me
She waits well. She'll lie on the porch until I get home, not restless and not mad about it. That convicts me, because when God makes me wait I usually squirm.
She shows up every day. Hot, cold, rain or snow, she's out there. Faithfulness that depends on the weather isn't really faithfulness.
She's strong without being loud. She hardly ever barks because she doesn't need to.
She loves the little things. On the days she rides along she's got her head out the window and her tongue out, soaking it all in. Faithfulness isn't only duty. There's joy in just being together.
God was faithful first
Her loyalty points me to something bigger. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." If a dog can be that loyal, I can trust the God who has never once left me.
Becoming faithful
God isn't asking us to be impressive. He's asking us to be faithful. Keep showing up for your marriage. Keep investing in your kids. Keep doing the right thing when nobody's looking and keep trusting Him when you can't see how it ends.
It won't trend and it isn't glamorous, but it matters. Sometimes the best reminder of that is a big Bernese stretched out at the end of the driveway, always glad you came home.