How My Dogs Gave Me New Perspective

My dogs taught me something this morning.

Ken usually has the job of taking care of them in the morning b/c he gets up as I'm leaving for work. I realized this morning that its a HUGE blessing b/c I am able to sleepily walk through the house, get some coffee and sit down with my Bible in the dimly lit, QUIET, coziness of our home. There's just something beautiful about being up in a house as people are still sleeping.

This morning, my hubs had to be out the door at 6am for work, so I was left with the munchkins. Now, I usually do take care of them on Fridays which is my day off. I learned today that taking care of them when I don't have anywhere to be, at a certain time, is MUCH easier!!!!

Ruger is pretty good about going outside and taking care of business. Rossi...not so much. She is a wanderer. AND, she has a serious case of A.D.D. She can be sniffing out something and see a leaf which takes her of the scent-trail, but then completely forget the leaf b/c a butterfly flew by. Wears me out when I just need her to go to the bathroom. When she was new to our house, she was really tempted to run to our neighbors b/c they are so much more interesting than us. We have a horticulturalist on one side and across the street are cattle and a donkey. Thankfully, the temptation to RUN has passed, but now she just stands there and stares FOREVER!!! Most of you might be asking why I stay outside with them. We don't have a fenced yard. Which I have never minded, but this pup needs some stinkin' boundaries!!! Okay...its just me that needs her to have a giant pack-n-play!

After my 3rd trip outside with the dogs, I had finally secured Rossi in her crate, Ruger was ready for his all-day-nap and I was thankful to be getting out the door. As I sat in the truck, I just sighed out of huge relief that my morning at home was over! I haven't fully appreciated my husband and what he does every morning.

I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom (God willing!), but today I had a few doubts. I realized that I now understand a woman's desire to work and get out of the house to be around adults! I completely agree! However, I also realized that the mornings that I don't have anywhere to be are not this chaotic. So, I decided that I would be "okay" staying at home if we are blessed with kids.

I text my husband a quick note to tell him how much I appreciate what he does every morning...his response? "Some days are better than others". Spoken like a true parent. :)

On the drive to work, I found myself appreciating both "moms": the stay-at-home moms and the working moms. Both of their jobs are hard. This post really isn't about moms and which one is better than the other (Its sad to me that women even debate this between themselves. God gives all of us a calling. No one should make anyone else feel bad or guilty about where God has called them). What I did learn is that the reason this morning was so chaotic to me is b/c I was trying to get my dogs to function and act like I do when I get ready for work. I wanted them to do exactly what I wanted them to do and to be selfless. I wanted them to have me in mind and what I needed to do today. I expected them to change their normal, everyday behavior to accommodate me.

While I know I'm talking about dogs and they don't even understand what I'm saying to them (they do understand my husband who we refer to as the "dog-whisperer"...seriously, they understand every single word he says!!! He has conversations with them...and they listen! Its weird!) and, of course, they are on their own time and terms. It did start me thinking. Why would I expect them to hurry through their normal, daily routine when they don't have to any other day?

Then I thought, "Why do I expect other people to change who they are to make me more comfortable?"

Its not fair for me to want anyone to function the way that I do. No one likes to be told how to act or do life. This goes for all the people we encounter. The people we work with. The people we are behind in line at Walmart. The car in front of us that is going 10 miles UNDER the speed limit.

Putting expectations on other people so that I can function the way that I like to isn't how I should be presenting Christ. I'm basically saying that I'm entitled to get my way. I want people to do ______ so that my life is easier. What I should be is others-focused. My life should be lived out as, "What can I be doing to make Christ more apparent?". Serving.

Thankfully, I did allot time for my dogs this morning. Last night before heading to bed, I knew that their routine was going to take time away from my regular routine. Its important to factor other people and circumstances into our day so that we aren't angry and frustrated. When emotions take over, people don't see God's love in us.

I'm challenging myself to be patient with others. Love them regardless of their actions. If I need to take a moment or get up and walk away, that's okay, but I do want them to see me as different from others. I want them to see that the difference is Christ in my life.

So, just like the mornings that I don't have any place to be and there are no expectations on my dogs' behavior: Life can be a lot smoother when we don't put our expectations on people and expect them to perform in a way that is normal "me".