Laddie was the most wonderful pup in the whole world. To anyone else he might seem very ordinary, but since the day Bobby ws eight years old and Daddy had brought home the playful black and white puppy, new worlds seemed to have opened up to Bobby.
Bobbie and Laddie were soon almost inseparable. Even running eands for Mother was fun when Laddie was at his heels. When Bobby came home from school, Laddie was always at the gate to meet him. But the day came when Laddie was not waiting at the gate when Bobby came home from school.
“Where’s Laddie?” he asked Mother. “He’s probably curled up in a corner sleeping somewhere,” she replied. “He’ll likely be back soon.”
When Daddy came home, however, Laddie had still not returned. “Where did you last see him?” he asked Bobby.
“He followed me part way to school this morning,” said Bobby. “Do you suppose he got lost and couldn’t find his way home?”
“We’ll go out and look for him after supper,” his father promised. But when bedtime came, Laddie had still
Bobbie and Laddie were soon almost sleep. Long, lonesome days followed, and still no trace could be found of the little dog.
“I’m afraid a car has run over him, son,” Daddy said at last. “But never mind, we’ll get another pup for you.”
“Another pup?” Bobby felt as if his heart would break. There would never be another pup like Laddie.
Several weeks later, when all hope seemed gone, Bobby was delivering a message for his mother, when he was suddenly attracted by a low whimper that came from the other side of a hedge. Peeping through the gate, what should he see but Laddie, straining on a cord that was tied to his collar. With one bound Bobby was through the gate and fumbling at the knot that held Laddie a prisoner.
“What are you doing to my dog?” asked an angry voice. Bobby looked up and saw a boy several years older and a lot bigger than himself.
“But this is my pup,” answered Bobby. “I lost him a few weeks ago. How did you get him?”
“Your dog, is it?” scoffed the older boy. “Well, he’s mine now. Just try to get him.”
Bobby could hardly keep back the tears. Surely he didn’t have to leave Laddie here. Suddenly he had an idea. “Say,” he said, “would you sell him to me?”
For a while the older boy considered. “How much will you give me?” he asked finally.
“Well, I’ve got only three dollars. But you can have it all.”
“Tell you what,” said the boy, “you give me the three dollars. Then I’ll untie the dog, and if he wants to go home with you, you can have him. If he wants to stay with me, he’s mine.”
Bobby dashed home. Fear gnawed at his heart. What if Laddie had forgotten him? What if he stayed with the big boy? Minutes later he was back with his purse, placing all his money in the hands of the boy.
“O. K., pup, it’s up to you,” said the boy, as the knot was untied. With one glad bark, Laddie bounded through the gate toward Bobby, and together they ran to their home.
“You know, son,” said Daddy, “that reminds me of what the Lord Jesus did for us. We were really His because He made us. But we were lost, just like your dog was, and bound by sin. But the Lord Jesus loved us so much that He came and paid the price to redeem us. It cost Him all that He had—He gave His life to buy us back. And now, those whom He has purchased with His precious blood, He has set free to follow Him, to be His forever.”
Whenever Bobby thinks of the time that Laddie was lost, he remembers that he himself was once a lost sinner, that he was bought with a great price, and that now he belongs to Jesus.
Yes, dear friends, the Lord Jesus saw us in our sin, and came down here to redeem us from hell. All who put their trust in Him and take Him into their hearts as their Saviour, will be among that happy company who in heaven will sing,
“Thou wart slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Rev. 5:99And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9).
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,... but with the precious blood of Christ.” I Peter 1:18, 19.
ML 07/26/1959