I wish I had a dollar for every single thing I've sworn I would never, ever do...only to end up not just doing it, but embracing it! (Let's just say that Alaskan cruise would already be on the calendar right about now!)
Cases in point: homeschooling, allowing God to fill our quiver as He sees fit, becoming foster parents...
getting a dog...
If you read my previous blog post, you already know my gripe with dogs. Frankly, I've had a few failed attempts at dog-ownership, so it's not like my stance was un-tested. Basically, any time one of the kids asked if we could get a dog, my response was that I already had plenty of people who require my care and attention.
One of the best things that ever happened was our move into the church parsonage when Sweet Jimmy B became the pastor at Rozetta Baptist Church: When the dog topic came up, all I had to do was quick-draw the ol' no-dogs-in-the-parsonage ruling. Problem solved! And I was no longer the bad guy!
Dontcha just love being able to pass the buck?!
Then...
maybe it was the gradual erosion of the bedrock of my mind over time,
maybe it was just one more symptom of my ongoing mid-life psychosis,
maybe it was a blessing of revelation...
but SJB and I found ourselves in more and more serious discussions about the prospect of getting a D-O-G.
And then we basically threw out a fleece in the form of an item of "other business" at a meeting of the deacons. Outdoor dog: approved.
And I know this is the canine equivalent of making you look at the pictures of my grandkids, but I just have to tell the story of the day we took Josie home from the humane society! Picture it: We had walked all through the place, looking at (and smelling) all the dogs. We had pretty much decided on a nice yellow lab mix. Then Josie, who hadn't been caged in the general dog population, was brought outside...and it was love at first sight for everyone!
Sorta like the blind date when I met my husband, now that I think about it. Only with a little less slobbering. A little.
Is Josie one more mammal whose very life falls within my jurisdiction? Yep! Does that add up to a little more work in my day? Mmm...yeah. Am I crazy in love with that puppy? Oh, man!
If you know me at all, here's all you need to know: I altered our plans for a family vacation so that we could take her with us! (I know...this has gotten serious!)
And since the weather was almost ridiculously nice for Christmas, we all got to take some nice, long walks together!
And (big surprise) this whole canine revelation got me thinking:
I knew that getting a dog wasn't going to be all treats and picture-worthy moments of joy...in the same way you know going in that adding a new baby to the family is going to be a little more than cuddles and coos. But, honestly...isn't it easy to forget all about the diapers and the sleepless nights and the sheer frustration a newborn brings when you're anticipating your new baby? I mean, you know it's going to be...let's just say challenging sometimes, but it's easier to just get excited!
Plus, humans that we are, we don't know the exact nature of the, umm, challenges that each child will bring into our lives. We aren't burdened with the foreknowledge that this one will have colic or that one will turn into a really, really difficult teenager. We don't know upon arrival that this baby will take years off our lives when he gets into an accident shortly after his fifth birthday (Jamie!).
When it comes right down to it, I didn't NEED to have all these kids any more than they NEEDED me to relent and bring a dog into the mix. But in every case, these usually-lovable mammals were what we desperately wanted...and we couldn't imagine life without them.
But God, on the other hand...
He knows exactly what we've got up our sleeves. He knew going in precisely what a handful I was going to be...and that, on some very important matters, I would prove to be a very slow learner! He knew all the ways I would damage His name and serve as the worst kind of witness for Christ. Even on my best day, I'm nothing He needs!
Yet He knew me before I was conceived...and He loved me...and He wanted me. Amazing! Especially when you consider that, on her worst day, Josie couldn't hold a candle to me when it comes to being...well...challenging.
Blessings!
Missy
Cases in point: homeschooling, allowing God to fill our quiver as He sees fit, becoming foster parents...
getting a dog...
If you read my previous blog post, you already know my gripe with dogs. Frankly, I've had a few failed attempts at dog-ownership, so it's not like my stance was un-tested. Basically, any time one of the kids asked if we could get a dog, my response was that I already had plenty of people who require my care and attention.
One of the best things that ever happened was our move into the church parsonage when Sweet Jimmy B became the pastor at Rozetta Baptist Church: When the dog topic came up, all I had to do was quick-draw the ol' no-dogs-in-the-parsonage ruling. Problem solved! And I was no longer the bad guy!
Dontcha just love being able to pass the buck?!
Then...
maybe it was the gradual erosion of the bedrock of my mind over time,
maybe it was just one more symptom of my ongoing mid-life psychosis,
maybe it was a blessing of revelation...
but SJB and I found ourselves in more and more serious discussions about the prospect of getting a D-O-G.
And then we basically threw out a fleece in the form of an item of "other business" at a meeting of the deacons. Outdoor dog: approved.
And I know this is the canine equivalent of making you look at the pictures of my grandkids, but I just have to tell the story of the day we took Josie home from the humane society! Picture it: We had walked all through the place, looking at (and smelling) all the dogs. We had pretty much decided on a nice yellow lab mix. Then Josie, who hadn't been caged in the general dog population, was brought outside...and it was love at first sight for everyone!
Sorta like the blind date when I met my husband, now that I think about it. Only with a little less slobbering. A little.
Is Josie one more mammal whose very life falls within my jurisdiction? Yep! Does that add up to a little more work in my day? Mmm...yeah. Am I crazy in love with that puppy? Oh, man!
If you know me at all, here's all you need to know: I altered our plans for a family vacation so that we could take her with us! (I know...this has gotten serious!)
 |
| Here we are...Christmas Day...on our way to everyone's favorite family hotel: The Stoney Creek Inn! |
 |
| And...for reasons which I still don't understand, Jamie thought Josie would like to wear his hat. Well...she does look good! |
 |
And, let me tell you...she LOVED getting to
be inside with her people!
|
And since the weather was almost ridiculously nice for Christmas, we all got to take some nice, long walks together!
Here is Josie with her seven favorite kids in the whole world!
-------------------->
And (big surprise) this whole canine revelation got me thinking:
I knew that getting a dog wasn't going to be all treats and picture-worthy moments of joy...in the same way you know going in that adding a new baby to the family is going to be a little more than cuddles and coos. But, honestly...isn't it easy to forget all about the diapers and the sleepless nights and the sheer frustration a newborn brings when you're anticipating your new baby? I mean, you know it's going to be...let's just say challenging sometimes, but it's easier to just get excited!
Plus, humans that we are, we don't know the exact nature of the, umm, challenges that each child will bring into our lives. We aren't burdened with the foreknowledge that this one will have colic or that one will turn into a really, really difficult teenager. We don't know upon arrival that this baby will take years off our lives when he gets into an accident shortly after his fifth birthday (Jamie!).
When it comes right down to it, I didn't NEED to have all these kids any more than they NEEDED me to relent and bring a dog into the mix. But in every case, these usually-lovable mammals were what we desperately wanted...and we couldn't imagine life without them.
But God, on the other hand...
He knows exactly what we've got up our sleeves. He knew going in precisely what a handful I was going to be...and that, on some very important matters, I would prove to be a very slow learner! He knew all the ways I would damage His name and serve as the worst kind of witness for Christ. Even on my best day, I'm nothing He needs!
Yet He knew me before I was conceived...and He loved me...and He wanted me. Amazing! Especially when you consider that, on her worst day, Josie couldn't hold a candle to me when it comes to being...well...challenging.
Blessings!
Missy
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
Before you were born, I set you apart...
Jeremiah 1:5a
 |
| What a good puppy! (Who's a good girl?! Who's a good girl?!) |
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