Today is Monday, November 15th, 2004; Karen's Korner #416

I had been doing some things outside last week when I decided to walk a couple of miles. Since it was a bit chilly, I had been wearing my ancient insulated coveralls. With time, the duds include a worn right knee which has nearly manifested itself into a hole through all the layers of material, plus years and years of spattered paint from numerous projects. Sensing a bit of a breeze, I decided I'd better find some head gear. A stocking cap didn't work. Too much breeze down the back of my neck. The coveralls don't have a hood. But my snowmobile suit does. I'd just tie on that hood.

Boy, was I cute! Paint spattered, holey gray coveralls and a blue hood. To complete the outfit, I put on mismatched gloves and sunglasses to keep the sun glare to a minimum........maybe no one in the neighborhood would recognize who I was in my fashion ensemble! But our dog, Lady, knew! She was jumping around like normal, excited about the possibility of walking. She didn't notice my lack of clothing coordination. She was happy about what we were going to be doing together!! She accepted who I was in the inside with no judgement of my outside appearances.

I had the opportunity to return the favor to Lady several days later. When we are home, Lady spends most of her time in the house. When we are gone, she rambles freely out-of-doors. That particular morning, she wanted out early and stayed outside. I took a trip to town and there was no Lady. When I got back home, there she was burrs and weed seeds stuck everywhere in her hair coat. Sometimes Jim and I can comb them out. We set out on the work of combing, trimming. Some could be pulled out on her back. Lady, left to her own accord, could work some of them off her feet and legs. But there was nothing that could be done to the thick matting in her feather-like hair on her tail. It had turned into one thick mass. Same things around her ears, which she can't reach; and some the lengthy hair on her back legs. I held her down while Jim wielding the scissors and began the butching process. I guess an appropriate nickname for her now might be "Stubby".

But like the favor Lady did for me a few days ago of accepting me exactly as she saw me, we are returning that unconditional love to Lady.....not for what we are looking at right now, but for the dog that we know that she is with or without a beautiful hair coat.

As I look at Lady and think back to our last week's walk, it reminds me of how God accepts each one of us...exactly as we are..........hair or no hair; beautfiul clothing or not! He sees who we are and loves us.........whether we are Lady and Karen..........or Stubby and Ugly!

What a God!!

 


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