Venting
I feel like venting a little today. I’m going to try to not sound like a stereotypical old person but you know (you know, those comments we all heard as a kid about how easy young people have it today compared to when they had to walk 10 miles up hill through the snow to get to school).
Anyway, we were in Santa Fe, NM recently. Santa Fe just happens to be the city where the late Gene Hackman lived and it was referred to as a swanky retirement community. From people that live there, they described Santa Fe as a city with 3 main constituents - Wealthy retirees, artists and lower income segments.
Back to my rant. We were there and several of us went to run errands. One of those errands took us to a local mall via a Hobby Lobby entrance. As others were shopping (I was looking for a husband chair to wait their completion), I noticed 3 different sets of people walking through the store with their dogs. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love almost all pets but, unless the errand specifically involves them (like a grooming appointment), I leave them at home. These 3 dog/person groups did not appear to be coming from a grooming appointment nor were they wearing emotional support vests.
“And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.” - Matthew 15:21-28 ESV
I guess if you ask me my druthers, it is not to go back to a time when you dressed in fancy clothes to go out in public (if you can believe old black and white tv shows) but to not be so fixated on what you want that you ignore others. I don’t have any pet allergies but I know other people who do.
Many years ago, I drove over 60 miles to see my friend Brian (there are a couple devotions dedicated to or about him) I think to study for an actuarial exam. I walked into his apartment and his girlfriend asked me to put my backpack at the door. She explained that there was cat hair visibly on it (we owned two cats at the time) and she was allergic to cat dander. Of course I was more than happy to comply after I looked at it to make sure it wasn’t filthy or something. The point is that some people are allergic to pet dander and try to avoid exposure.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” - Colossians 3:12-15
Please don’t parade your pet in stores that aren’t for pets. I’m sure you think that everyone wants to see your cute doggie but they probably don’t. If they did, I’m sure you’d gladly embrace them coming to your abode.
Rant over. Thank you for your consideration.
