The kids and I picked out some new toys for the doggies. We bought a squeaky red ball to throw for them and we bought each of them a little stuffed animal. Daisy got a zebra and Freesia got a giraffe. We were so excited to give them their toys and we watched in delight as they licked and chewed and tried to rip the heads off.
That lasted for about five minutes. Then the jealousy set in. It wasn’t good enough to have ONE toy, they needed BOTH toys for themselves. And so they tried to kill each other.
Seriously, we thought they might rip each other’s heads off! At one point Daisy had the red ball and BOTH stuffies in her mouth at the same time! Len drew the line when Freesia trapped Daisy in the dog house and wouldn’t let her out. Heaven forbid, Daisy should come out of the dog house and get one of the toys.
We had to take the stuffies away for their own protection. It was darn right silly!
And I said to those naughty doggies - Why do you have to act this way? We just wanted to get you something nice! Why do you take the gifts we gave you and fight over them. Why aren’t you satisfied with what I gave you???
When I heard myself, I groaned inwardly. Oh man, it’s not just dogs who aren’t satisfied with what they have.
Of course there are material things we pine for too, but what came to my mind is not being satisfied with our talents - with the abilities God has given us. As adults, we tend to constantly compare ourselves to others.
I hear it a lot in my photography group: So and so is so much better than me or why don’t my photos look that good?
It happens among moms: So and so is the perfect mother, look at the little lunches she packs for them, she is always doing crafts and games. I don’t have time for that, I must be a failure.
It happens in the church: Why does so and so have the gift of healing or ministry or teaching and I’m stuck sweeping the floors? I want to do something important! I want to make a difference for God!
The Bible says in Romans 12: 6-8: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Thought for the Day
It’s often human nature to think we’re not good enough with the talents and abilities we have been given. But God destined each of us for a certain purpose! It takes everyone using their own abilities to make this world go round; to make a difference! No one’s abilities are more important than anyone else’s; each has merit; each has value. Today my focus is on being content and joyful right where God has placed me on this journey of life.
I am right where I belong.
p.s. our solution to the doggy problem: we let them out of the pen one a time to play with their toys.
Everyone was happy!
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)
/1x.jpeg?auto=webp)