The Grumpy Dog's Lesson About Mother's Day

Nobody likes a grumpy dog. And nobody likes a Christian who is a Christian in name only.
I thought about that this week when I was going to the curb to retrieve my garbage can. There is a little dog who lives next door who is the meanest dog you ever saw!! Every time he's outside -- always, thank goodness, tied up -- and someone (a.k.a. me) walks toward the curb, he comes charging off the porch barking up a storm. I know that if he were not tied, he'd get up to me and bite me, and his meanness makes me want to be mean right back.

That's not the right emotion one should have for a dog, right? Dogs are "man's best friend," right? Well, not that one. I found myself muttering threats about what I would do if he ever got close to me..

And then I thought: people don't like mean, threatening Christians, either. Christians are supposed to be different, because Christians understand love. Christians are supposed to be honest, forthright, willing to admit wrong, willing to forgive, willing to change, willing to help, to serve in whatever capacity service is needed. When we do not live up to the "Christian" expectation, and few of us do, we are despised by those who need to see that something better than the status quo exists.

When I think of that little grumpy dog, my whole spirit changes. I could see it if he were grumpy in his house, but he has no right, in my mind, to be grumpy with me when I'm outside, going to MY curb.

Too many people have negative visceral changes when they think of Christians, church and/or church folks. Their spirits change when they remember what Christians or church folk have done or said. I've been there, and I know most of you have, too, but at the end of the day, there is supposed to be something that distinguishes one who is a Christian in spirit from one who is Christian in name only.

Christians can let go and let God. Ah! After years, I finally understand that little statement. Christians who have been hurt and wounded by other Christians, by bosses, friends, partners, life in general, tend not to have infections that result in complete ruination of their spirits. Christians can let go of themselves and hold onto God, and in that holding on, God provides a healing balm.

I know some of you in here are angry at your mothers, but this is Mother's Day, you are in church, and this is another day to begin a transformation. Christians transform as they "let go and let God." Whatever your mother did or said, did not do or say, believes or does not believe, she is still your mother, and you have an opportunity to show her that you are not like that little grumpy dog that lives next door to me.

We all have an opportunity to breathe in the spirit of God, take up this particular cross, and let God lead the way. If we do that, we will be less grumpy, a grumpiness that comes from hurt or from being misunderstood or even abandoned. The testimony of a Christian is that he or she has tried God and has found out that love works, the kind of love that Jesus taught. Your mom, my mom ... they all did the best they could with what they had and with the upbringing they had.

Let it go. Let go and let God ...

Or be a grumpy dog.

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

By Susan K. Smith  |  May 5, 2009; 1:59 PM ET
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