Just Water And Food Isn't Enough. 2-1-2024

 Good Morning,

I will be headed out for work soon and I will be taking along a hot cup of Door County Jamaican Me Crazy Coffee. It is good to be working this morning. 

Ephesians 5:21 Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

As most of you know, we have two Springer Spaniels in our home. Leo and Gibbs are their names. Gibbs is well into 12 years of being with us and Leo is going on five. When we first brought Leo home as a puppy, the reception from Gibbs was not all that nice. For about two weeks there was some growling and at times it was a little fierce. Gibbs did not like the invasion of his territory Time passed and with each day the tolerance grew, to the point that the two could actually play around without a tussle. Leo learned to respect Gibbs as the older authority in his life and Gibbs assumed the role of the leader. With age the roles have reversed and Gibbs relies on Leo quite a bit. Gibbs can't hear much at all and Leo runs to get him when it is time to eat or bark at the door. 

But just the other day Leo wasn't feeling too well and was tired out from a tough hunt. I fed him some extra food, medicated him , cleaned him up, scratched his ears, and made sure he received some petting and kind words. Later  I was working at my desk and the two dogs who usually sit apart on the floor were both curled up together on one dog bed. They slept like that for about two hours. I believe Leo just needed to be close to his buddy and also needed to know that Gibbs had his back. 

This could all be wishful thinking on my part but I know that Leo responded to the rest and closeness of his buddy. What I had done was necessary for Leo and it just wasn't enough. 

Friends, we get awfully busy and we do all the right things that one would expect with our families. But a meal, a hello and goodbye is not enough. Time spent with our family and meeting their needs requires more than a good morning and good night spoken out of obligation. Quality time and affection are needed. It might cause you to slow down and do something you would rather not do, but it needed to be done. That time together can never be replaced and once the hour is gone and not used, it is gone forever. 

Think about it and see if we can't do better than to eat and run!

God bless,

Marty