I live in a zoo. No, really. At one point we had three ponies , a black lab, a yellow lab, a chocolate lab and a corgi. Guess what? We live inside the city limits! I'd like to claim Noah's Ark but we didn't have sets of 2's. Seriously, a zoo.
The ponies were sold when our youngest daughter went off to boarding school. All three of our labs died last year within a 6 month period. The only dog left is our corgi. We bought him when Carrington was at Pony Finals in Lexington, Kentucky, 7 years ago.
If Tucker could talk I swear he would sound exactly like Mr. Carson, the butler, from Downton Abbey. He has that aristocratic attitude (use your best British accent) "It is a privilege for you to own me."
The labs were so fine with laying in the driveway and waiting patiently to go hunting at the farm with Robin. Joyfully they would shock themselves (invisible fence) to go swimming on the golf course. They were just sloppy in love with all of us and anyone they met. They were eager to please and truly just looked at everyday as an adventure.
Not Tucker. He truly lived up to his breeders name "Royal Corgis". He considered it a privilege for us to serve him. He was in no hurry to do anything but what pleased him. He was completely independent until he wanted something.
I truly disliked this arrogant dog. That changed when both of our girls left for school at the same time. The youngest went off to school in 9th grade. Three days later our oldest left for her freshman year of college. I felt like a train had literally run me over. I had no idea both girls leaving simultaneously would be so sad. I literally felt grief stricken.
It was just me and Tucker alone for the first time. He started to follow me everywhere. It dawned on me that he was devastated too. All of the sudden Tucker the Corgi was humble! I hardly recognized this dog that delighted in my company. He actually wanted to please me. He wanted to be everywhere I was!
I guess it would be offensive to ask if you are like my dog. Don't laugh! Well, are you? Are you super cute? Are you a tad bit arrogant expecting the world to serve you? Do you only talk to God when you need something?
Or are you like my beloved goofy labs? Do you greet each day happily? Is it your nature to think of others before yourself? Do you find pure joy in the little things?
If I had to guess you are a little bit corgi and a little bit lab. Our flesh can make us behave like a half breed! It's easy to put on heirs to create a certain look or lifestyle. To think, secretly, we are better than because of our looks, possessions, our children's accomplishments or our intellect.
We live in a ridiculously crazy world. Life is truly short. It could all end tomorrow. There are no promises that our personal bubble of a life won't burst. It's easy to forget this life, and everything that goes along with it, is temporary.
We really can take a lesson from my labs. They had no agenda but to make you feel good about yourself. They didn't recognize pedigree, they didn't see insecurity and they didn't acknowledge pride. They wanted to please. They forgave harsh words with a good tail wag and hugs. They loved just because it's all they knew how to do. They were completely satisfied with themselves and their surroundings.
What if we were like that? What if we were completely satisfied with who we were and our place in the world? What if we immediately extended Grace for others transgressions? What if we found something to love in everyone we met?
The truth is we can't without God. He is the only one that can fill in all of our cracks with enough love to radiate. We simply can not do it of our own accord. We all need a Master and his name is Jesus.
Once you surrender to Him you will be an Heir to the Throne! You will have Royal Blood. You will receive the Crown of Life. I can't think of anything more aristocratic than that!
"and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed."-1 Peter 2:24
