Dawn R. Deem Stephens

Today, our picture book is Harry and the Dirty Dog. I loved this book as a kid. so much that today I own a dog that looks alot like Harry. In the book, Harry is a very happy dog.-except fo one thing, he hates getting a bath. Infact, he hates taking baths so much that he buries the scrub brush in the yard and then runs away from home. While away, he becomes quite dirty. He has fun, but also gets dirty and dirtier, Then finally he misses his family and returns home. His family doesn’t know it’s him, however. He is no longer a white dog with black spots – but a black dog with white spots. Finally, Harry remebers the scrub brush and digs it up. He gives it to his family and once they give him a bath, they discover that he is their very own dog, Harry!

In Luke 15:11-32 – Jesus tells us a story about a son who was unhappy with his life and runs away from home. After time the son realizes that his life with his father was much better and then returns. Unlike Harry’s family, the father recognizes him and welcomes him back with open arms. This story illustrates how when we leave or wander away from our heavenly father – we can always return to Him and find Him waiting and ready to receive us.

In Ephesians 5:27, christ explains how He washes so we can be without “spot or blemish”. He is talking about forgiving our sins.

Harry became dirtier and dirtier in his worldly adventures away from home. And friends, when we travel away from God, we become dirty in our own sins. We need the “washing” of the Holy Spirit to make us clean again. Yes our heavenly father does recognize us in our flithy sin, but he reamins ready to wash us clean again when we return home.

I remember rooting for Harry as a little girl and feeling frustrated with him when his own family didn’t recognize who he was.  I also remeber being so excited when his family discovered it was him and they were happy again. I think God must feel that way about us too. He is rooting for us, ready for us to return home to Him, so we can be washed and live happily ever after!

To buy Harry and the Dirty Dog click here:

For other bible lessons using Children’s Literature:
Where The Wild Things Are

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and a Chance to Pray

Children Who Love Jesus may be at risk of catching: A Bad Case of Stripes

Is Your Mama a Llama? Are you the image of God?

The Paper Bag Princess and The Paper Bag Christian

1. Dawn Stephens Books » Blog Archive » Learning the Bible from Pinocchio -by Debbie Boush Says:
   October 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 am

   [...] Harry the Dirty Dog: Lost Dog, Lost Son Where The Wild Things Are [...]



2. Dawn Stephens Books » Blog Archive » Corduroy – The Search For a Friend Says:
   December 1st, 2009 at 11:01 am

   [...] Harry the Dirty Dog: Lost Dog, Lost Son Where The Wild Things Are [...]

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