From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Feeding your pets
Those of you who have pets, or, have had at some
time in your lives, know that you have to take care of them. Even as very
young children, we each learned the lesson that they have to be fed, kept
safe, and groomed. They are dependent upon their "keepers." In that
vein of thought, I ask you to allow me a little "literary license" for the
purpose of this message.
Our pets serve several purposes in our
lives. They can provide us with, among other things, companionship,
joy when we are down, protection when we're in danger, awareness
of those dangers before our senses are able to detect them, and even
"an ear to listen to our problems." (All of these things, and
more, are true if we have used "good sense" in our choice of pets.
An alligator or a rattlesnake might not turn out so well).
How we treat
our choice of pets largely determines, and is evidence of, the type of
relationship we have with them. If we show love to them, by giving
attention to all their needs, such as food, companionship, affection, grooming,
exercise, etc.; they will respond by showing their love in
return. If, instead, we are indifferent to their needs, showing
that by neglecting, or, even doing things that hurt them or make them
uncomfortable; they will avoid us, or, even run away. Anyone who has
given loving attention to a pet, whether it was covered in "fur or feathers,"
has received far more in return. (Some of you may be thinking
how crazy I am at this point, while others know exactly what I'm
talking about) I grew up with, and, excepting my time away in the service,
have always had a pet. Two of them, our beloved dogs Mac and Bear, each,
at separate times, lived with Beth and me for 16 years. All of
our pets have known they were loved. We took good care of them.
A few of them came to us from other relationships that weren't so good.
Some had just been left to "fend for themselves" by their former families.
Each of these responded to what they were given by those who were supposed to
nurture and work at the relationship. Those who received indifferent
care in their former "homes" really didn't
care to stay there. Tooter, one of our current
feline children, was left outside all the time by both of his earlier
families. They both, in fact, just left him behind when they moved out of
our neighborhood. When we first took him in, he yelled to be let
out the first thing every morning and often wouldn't return till late
in the evening. It's a funny thing though, after we had him a while,
giving him care and love, he began to want out less and less. I can now
open the door fully and he will remain inside. He know longer
wants to get away! He knows he is loved, and he
chooses to "dwell" (remain/continue comfortably) in that love. By
the way, our other cat, BooBoo, was originally from a "let her go her own way"
type of home. She no longer tries to go out,
either.
Now, I asked you earlier to allow me a little literary
license. I know the two entities I'm going to refer to here aren't
normally thought of as our "pets", but, I fully believe what I said in the last
paragraph about our animal pets applies to them as well. Those two
entities are: (1.) our flesh, the natural, unregenerate part of our being, and,
2. our spirit, that part of us which has been made new by God and desires to be
close to Him. Picture these two as we did our pets. Whichever
one of them receives lots of love, care, and attention from us is the one that
will want to "dwell" close beside us, saying in effect, "I like it here.
I'm fed well, cared for, nurtured, and loved. This
is my home!" The other one, largely
ignored, or, just "thrown a bone" every once in a while, will not be comfortable
with us. We will not receive the full benefit of that
one's love and affection in our daily lives.
You have a choice in whether or not to accept an
animal pet into your life. You can say "yes" or "no". If you say
"yes", it becomes your responsibility to take proper care of it. Feeding
your pet becomes your responsibility. If you do give it good
care and attention, it will thrive and bless you in return, if you
made a good choice. I mentioned earlier that an alligator or a
rattlesnake might not turn out to be a good choice. Even if you showed
love towards them, because of their own inherent nature, they would pose
a great danger to you and your other loved ones.
You also have a choice, daily, in which of these
other two "pets," your flesh or your spirit, will receive your care, attention,
and love. I ask you to consider which of these you would prefer
to benefit from. Which of them, do you believe, will best provide
you with: companionship, joy when you are down, protection when
you're in danger, awareness of those dangers before your senses are able to
detect them, and even "an ear to listen to your problems."? Which of them
do you think is a good choice? Which of them do you really want close
beside you all of the time? Which of them do you believe would think
more about protecting you? Which one could protect
you? Which one of them do you think would choose to "stay inside,"
because they love the real "you," when an "open
door" beckoned?
Is this making sense to you? Can you see that the
"flesh" is desirous of the "old home place", where the old lost and undone "you"
lived. The "spirit" has been made new and wants to live close beside
you, walking with and guiding towards the eternal home that eagerly
awaits your arrival. Would you take a minute, right now, to seriously
consider which of these two you have been feeding and caring for? If you
realize you have been caring for the wrong one, would you make a fresh choice,
and commit, to yourself and God, to give care,
attention, and love to the right choice? Will you commit to
"feeding your pet?"
Ben