Everyday, Jake the puggle (our pug/beagle mix) needs to be walked. (We live in a townhouse, and Jake is afraid of the back yard, so all official business must be accomplished on walks.) And between Roger and I, Jake gets walked, over two miles, every single day.
I walk him most mornings, and I have to tell you, generally, I really enjoy it. He is a happy dog, and except for the frequent “SQUIRREL” moments, he is pretty well behaved. I strap on my iPod, listen to a downloaded book, take a stroll in my complex, and generally enjoy my morning.
One of the drawbacks however (and trust me, I’m trying to be discreet here,) is that Jake does his business early in his walks. I, being a responsible dog owner, clean up after my dog and get to carry that little blue baggie for the rest of the .9 miles.
Here is where I am having problems.
You see, I was still enjoying our walks, blue baggie and all, until two weeks ago.
For the past two weeks, I have been carrying that little bag as I pass by a white truck. The white truck has a sticker on it that says “No Heifers – Truck May Tip Over” (Very reminiscent of the “No Fat Chicks” stickers from a couple of decades ago.)
I have to say. That little sticker evokes a lot of thoughts for me. Here are the thoughts – in numerical order:
- That guy is a moron.
- Why is it, no matter what time of morning I pass by the truck, is it ALWAYS there. Does moron not have a job? Did he expend so much energy picking out that oh-so-clever sticker and affixing it to the window of his car that, besides making beer runs, that is all he can manage to accomplish in life?
- I hate carrying this blue baggie.
- I know where I could put this blue baggie and not have to carry it any futher.
Yes, I KNOW that is not what Jesus would want me to do. And I know that even HAVING that thought is not a good thing.
But really, can you blame me?
(I comfort myself by thinking that surly Beth Moore has had some blue baggie/white truck moments. But probably not.)
Is it okay that I laughed? I just pictured it all in my head and well….I giggled.
Kathi,
THANK YOU FOR THE LAUGH. Amongest the comments above its normal for us to feel this way but ultimately we have the choice to let that guy win over us by consuming our thoughts and then acting in a way that we even displease ourselves afterward The devil is lurking.
Ultimately YOU WIN because you chose Jesus and chose to take the high road. Several things have been said to me about this lately, those people are watching your christian moves so lead by example and more than anything, PRAY for him!!!
Best wishes to you and your walks. Your dog is adorable!
Natalie
{Smiling really wide}
The fact that you have had multiple ‘chances’ and refrained should count for something – shouldn’t it?
BTW – Passed it again today. Didn’t fling. A win for the good guys.
I needed a laugh this morning! 🙂 Thank you for being honest, and fighting the urge to toss the poo. 🙂
Just remember, guys in white trucks need Jesus, too!
Kathi
Everyone has those moments. Yes we want to be more Christ like but we are not Christ. We are born in sin and will always have those thoughts & desires, at least until we’re called Home. At least you don’t act on them.. you’ve called out to your friends to help you fight the urge.. the problem really arises when your Christian friends think like you do and get on the bandwagon and then you’re really in trouble.
We are all such a work in progress…even boneheads who put stupid stickers on their trucks. 🙂 I don’t know if this will make you feel any better, but although I’m not Beth Moore, I’ve had my fair share of blue bag/white truck moments. And I’m sure more await me!
Dear Kathi,
I am sorry that people think it is okay to post such poo on their vehicles. There are a few more that send me. Let me see, how about the truck stop girls (profile of skinny with big and lots of legs, usually bright and shinny) and the other fish eating the Christian fish. Why do we have to slam/put down others to feel good about ourselves? Whether you are a woman or a Christian, does it matter to the next guy? Guess it does. Yes, I am guilty too. Yes, I have weak moments too. But darn it, at least try to be a good person. Oh, and I might be the one flinging the bag and then realizing, hum….. that was a mistake, as it took flight. Or better yet I would probably get too much of a spin on the bag and it would go straight up and come straight down. Oh, and I scream easy so then I would scream and the guy would come out and…… oh geez, ugly……..
Thanks for sharing!
Besides the fact that I am so pleased you included a picture of Jake (he’s too adorable), I am also pleased that you will admit to thinking someone is a moron. Granted, I have absolutely no problem calling someone a moron, but i don’t have people reading my blogs. It is refreshiing that you are so real. And if you want me to take of that guy – just let me know – I’m almost a blue belt, you know….. I’m just sayin’
SO funny! I think we all think those thoughts at some point or another….or more then that?? Aren’t you curious to see what the owner looks like? 🙂
Buy the way, I loved the book I won a bit ago! Thank You!!!
Martha – there are some weird, sad people out there. So far – no weird messages from you! Hope it gets resolved – it is so hard to get hacked!!!
Hahahhaa….I am falling off my chair in laughter. That is tooo funny!! Just what I needed this afternoon. Thank you =) Ahem….you could just “dispense” of the blue baggie once and ask forgiveness after! Right?! LOL. JK~ =P…seriously, JK, so NOT what Jesus would do! =)
Hi, Kathi,
Did this ever bring back memories of walking my precious Maggie, a Norfolk terrier for whom every smell and pit stop was an opportunity to relish being alive. At the time, I, too, lived in a condo complex and one crazed person, who was not paying association fees, decided that I was “stalking” him as I walked my dog. Thank the Lord, nothing serious ever came of this, but there were times that I had to pray hard to get through the nonsense that still hurt. God worked in me then, and He is still working in me, improving and honing me, every day.
Thank you for your honesty and your willingness to share the human temptations we all have.
On an entirely other note, my FB was hacked today; I’ve changed my password which should do it, but if you get a strange link from me, don’t open it!!!
Blessings always,
Martha Orlando