Puppy Love
Horses are not the only animal
in abundance at our home. We also raise Labradors. We presently have four
females that at any given time may be expecting, nursing or recovering. A
typical litter can range from eight to twelve puppies. That is a lot of dogs!
These puppies are both a blessing and a chore to my children. They love
to play with them and show them off to their friends. However, the mess the
puppies leave behind is not a sweet smelling job to clean up.
Each litter always
produces a “favorite.” This puppy is usually the most eager to play yet also
loves to be cuddled and wagged around. Puppy love typically last two weeks and
then the puppy is forgotten as it goes to its new home.
While this may seem
heartless and cruel, it is part of being in the dog business. Thankfully my
children have no problem with the arrangement. It is just part of how we do
life.
Today a “favorite” is
leaving. As I sat thinking about his departure and the temporary peace it would
bring before the next litter, I began to ponder the fickle nature of Americans.
As a new “something”
comes on the market, we fall in love and excitedly make our purchase. But it doesn't take very long before a new “something” steals the spotlight and our
attention. We are forever jumping from one new thing to another. We are
breeding discontentment. The ramifications of this lifestyle may not completely
rear their ugly heads in our lifetime but our children and grandchildren will
feel the effect of our fickle and flighty decisions.
How do we teach
commitment and contentment while frivolously disregarding the old and idolizing
the new? Do we set an example of being content in all circumstances or do we
exhibit an attitude of entitlement? How do we teach our children to rest in
God’s provision while we are chasing the latest new gadget?
Puppy love, here today
and gone tomorrow, is not the legacy I want to leave for my children. This
means evaluating purchases and choices in a whole new light. This is certain to
be uncomfortable and unpopular and yet it promises to be God honoring and
ultimately a blessing without measure.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
1 Timothy 6:6
