Pet Stress and Character

As I write this, I am feeling stressed about my husband leaving me for almost a week with all three dogs (and the three cats—but they don’t count) while he travels to California to judge a dog field trial. Caring for three energic Labradors—well, at least two since one is almost 11 years old—is not something I’m looking forward to. They are mostly indoors unless they are out in the field doing training. That is indoors in a single story, about 1,200 square feet, ranch style house. It will be days of early mornings, so I’ll need to get used to early to bed nights to compensate. Oh, and did I forget to mention one of them is pregnant and has been having the effects of occasional bouts of nausea? The 11-year-old has learned that if he doesn’t want to go outside, he rolls over and plays like he’s a log. And as of yesterday, he has bandages and boots on two feet, each with an infected toe. Sigh.

A quiet moment.

As I wrote, I’m feeling stressed and a bit irritated about it all. And then…well, then, I read these words in the book, “Jesus Followers.” ---- “The phrase small irritations brings to mind the many pets we’ve had over the years, which were not only sources of pleasure but also sources of aggravation that God used to develop our character.” Catch that last phrase? “To develop our character.”

Isn’t that just like God to make a point drive deep? It’s not like He and I haven’t already been having conversations about this upcoming week of dog care. So, He knows my attitude isn’t what it should be. “Our faith is walked out in our everyday attitudes and actions,” (“Jesus Followers”) which includes being the caregiver for these three pet children.

The Lord used Rachel-Ruth Lotz Graham’s words to remind me that I need to reshape my attitude since He’ll be there to see me through being their sole caregiver. So, in my reading journal, I jotted, “Lord, help my stress with pets develop godly character.” That’s the hope for every trial/struggle/problem we face—that as we walk with Jesus through them, He will shape us into His likeness. He’ll give us His attitude, His character.

I am reading an advance copy of “Jesus Followers,” by Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright. The focus of their book is leaning into Jesus in all parts of our lives, striving to run our race of faith with responsibility, diligence, and perseverance so that we pass that Baton of Truth onto the next generation, to those who are watching how we live out our faith, especially when we are stressed and irritated by the struggles of life or when we are in pain and suffering.

“Jesus Followers” is brimming with real life examples from both the authors’ personal lives and their observations of those with whom they did life with, particularly close relatives, which include Billy and Ruth Graham. And I do mean “real life” examples. Their stories reveal lives lived that modeled what it is like to walk trusting the Lord in difficult situations, worshipping Him when all your humanity wants to do is complain and/or cry.

Anne and Rachel-Ruth's book reminds us that we who have that identity are to live “aware of life’s brevity” so as to “prompt us to live each day with greater intention so that we leave a legacy of faith for those who follow” and in order that they, too, will carry forward the Baton of Truth.” A pew research of university students recently revealed that it’s long before students go to college that this baton slipped out of their hands. That means it was starting to slip before they left their parents’ home and their home church. “Parents, hands down, are the biggest influence on a child. Our children imitate whatever they see us doing.” (“Jesus Followers”)

It’s vital for each Jesus follower to live out an intentional, moment-by-moment, totally committed, totally surrendered walk with Jesus in every circumstance that proves He is our strength and joy. That’s how that Baton of Truth is passed. That’s what helps the next generation grasp that baton firmly and run their race.

I recommend that you make this a must-read book to encourage you as you follow Jesus so that you are helped to hand off the Baton of Truth to those in your life. As I write this, the book is in preorder status. But if you preorder, you’ll benefit by receiving some bonuses which are available until October 4, 2021.