My Dog

"If dogs could talk it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one." - Andy Rooney

We adopted a dog this past summer when we saw the pet rescue sign and agreed that we would "just look" (has anyone ever walked away without a pet when they said that?). There were several crates of dogs, bouncing around as if to say, "Pick me! Pick me!" One dog caught my eye because she sat regally in her kennel with her front paws crossed. It only took a few minutes of petting her to know we wanted to adopt. The rest is history...now Pixie is part of our family.

With three kids in our home, I wouldn't say that Pixie lives a life of leisure. She generously fulfills the roles that each child demands from her. To our disabled son, she is a devoted nurse and can often be found, lying in between his legs, giving him companionship and comfort. To our daughter, Pixie is a thespian, wearing various costumes and playing parts in homemade musicals. To our youngest son, Pixie is a playmate and displays the virtues of longsuffering and patience, as she endures the rough play of a 5 year old boy. No wonder she loves to catch up on her sleep during school hours!

My kids are not the only ones smitten with Pixie. After I had babies, I wondered why I would ever want a pet again. Then, my babies became children and I realize the importance of having a quiet being in the house who still thinks I am brilliant. I will admit, my kids sometimes accuse me of liking the dog more than them, to which I respond, "Don't be silly, I will always love you guys more." Love is the key word here...there are many days I like the dog more! She is obedient, never talks back, and even helps with housework (I haven't had to vacuum crumbs since we got her).

On the crazy dog owner scale, I like to think I am still far away from the extreme category of the Paris Hilton's of the world who carry their poodle in a handbag. I love my dog, but I am still sane enough to know that she is not an accessory. However, if we ever have a hurricane and it comes down to evacuating without the dog, you might find Pixie and me on CNN, being airlifted from our roof! On second thought...maybe I will just invest in one of those handbags.

Lunch for a Stranger

Recently, I was driving through a shopping center when I saw a homeless man. This was not the first time I have seen him. He is our local "townie" and I see him at least once a week, shuffling across the bridge, wearing the same shabby clothes and sporting a long beard that is as matted and grey as the locks that cover his shoulders. Sometimes, I pity him. Most of the time, I see him like the sailboats and palm trees, just part of the usual backdrop of the trip to my comfortable life in the suburbs.

That day in the shopping center was different. As I drove by the grocery store, I quickly covered my mouth in disgust, as I saw the townie, scooping morsels of rubbish into his mouth. I thought about the maggots, parasites, and other dwellers inside of that trash can. I considered how desperate I would have to be to reach into festering trash in the heat of summer for a bite to eat. I wondered how long it had been since the townie had eaten. I thought about buying him something to eat, but then remembered I had my 4 year old in the car with me. I considered it a risk for me to talk to this man, especially with a child on my arm. The next time I see him, I vowed, I will buy him lunch. Accelerating my van forward, I felt good about my oath to help the homeless. A small voice from the backseat interrupted my justification to put off feeding the hungry.

"Mommy, why is that man digging in the trash can?"
"He doesn't have anything to eat."
"Then, we should buy him some lunch, Mom."

I have never heard the audible voice of God, but I thought about the verse that says, "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise..." (Ps. 8:2) Out of my son's lips came the wisdom of God and I could not let the opportunity to feed this man get away.

So, after a trip to a drive thru restaurant, we were off in search of the townie who needed some lunch. By this time, he was walking down his usual route toward the bridge. Finding the first available parking spot, I put the van in lock down mode and firmly whispered, "Stay in your carseat and do not call out to me."

My hand shook as I approached the familiar stranger and passed him the extra value meal we had purchased.

"We thought you could use some lunch," I curtly said.

His fingers were dirty, his nails even filthier, but his smile was gracious as he quietly thanked me and took his lunch.

As we drove away, the townie sat in the same spot I met him and devoured his cheeseburger.

"He was hungry," my son observed, "Good thing you gave him that lunch, Mom."

Not wanting to let this teachable moment get away, I quickly let him know that Jesus says to give food to people who don't have any.

"Does he have a house, Mom?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Maybe we could give him some money to buy a house, too, " my son suggested with the same ordained innocence as before.

Someday, he will understand, I thought, and what a sad thing that he will.

Look at the birds? Birds don't have laundry to do!

After 12 years of doing the "stay at home Mom" thing, I have reached the milestone of my youngest child starting Kindergarten this year. So many people have asked me, "What will you do with all your time now that you have an empty nest?" With all that I still have to do around the house, I am still one busy bird! In fact, most days, I feel like a bird before a storm, flying in circles, fretting about the impending tasks I need to accomplish in the six hours of a school day.

I have often pondered the words of Jesus, found in Matthew:

"...do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:25-27)


Missing the true meaning of this scripture, I envied those darn birds! Since baby birds have one outfit, Momma bird has it made when it comes to laundry! Neither does she have to worry about how long the casserole needs to cook or if she has time to make that casserole since it is 6 PM and everyone in the nest claims to be starving. Is it any wonder that Momma bird trusts the Lord for her every need?

Upon further meditation of these scripture verses, I realize that Momma bird may have an easier nest to manage, but she is an example of a nest empty of one thing: worry. So, in answer to the question, "What will you do with all your time?" I will look at the birds, consider how the Lord cares for them, and remember that I am much more valuable to my heavenly Father than they are. I will fret less about housework and trust God to show me how to manage my busy nest. After all, is life not more important than my "to do" list?

Lord, help me to be as trusting as the birds of the air.