The Window (Washing Dishes)

I walk Rabbit on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings. I love walking Rabbit - that's true. I don't love waking up at 6 AM to do it. My Fitbit vibrates letting me know it's time to get up, unless my bladder beat my Fitbit to it. I lay there, kick my leg up on my Yogibo body pillow in denial, sigh, pull off my covers and get my old bones up out of bed. "But Afrika," you might say . . . "you're so young, still. You don't have old bones!" Tell my knees that! Achy, achy, achy all the time.

One of my first stops in the morning is to the kitchen sink to wash out Rabbit's food and water bowls before replenishing them both, and that's when perspective kicks in.  I see beautiful things out of my kitchen window while I'm washing her bowls. Do I love making mortgage payments? Nah. Being house poor isn't fun. We're not building equity anywhere near fast enough for my taste . . . but life is about more than money. Washing the dishes in front of this beautiful view reminds me about what's important. One of the best times to listen to God's voice is when you're doing mindless things like washing dishes.

You can't see it so well from the picture, but outside the window is our deck.

But the deck is SO old, and the paint is peeling, and it's not the best deck at all!
So? It's your old, flaky deck. When you lived in New York, and up until October, 2005, you didn't have a deck.
But that old, busted grill is out there, too! 
Yeah, and it was a gift. You didn't have to pay for that grill, and when you're ready, you'll throw that one away, and get a new one. Be thankful for the time you were able to use it. Remember when you lost power for several days and had to grill your food? You appreciated it then, right?
True . . . but Rabbit broke my bench, and it's just sitting out there. 
Well, I know that wasn't your favorite thing that happened, but it was old, and when it's time, you'll get a new bench, and it'll be great.
Hmm . . . those bluejays are pretty cool. We've been seeing so many birds at the bird feeder lately. I like that.
Me too! And did you see those cardinals?
Yes! What a beautiful shade of red! And now that you mention it, those squirrels look like they're having so much fun.
Yep. They're not worried about a thing. Just running and jumping from branch to branch.
And I'm noticing that there are lots of different types of trees outside. What types of trees are there?
Pine, birch and sassafras. 
Sassafras is fun to say.
It sure is! You see those tree trunks?
Yep.
You're strong like that. I made you strong like that. I'm thinking of something I said before that one of the disciples wrote down. You know what I'm talking about?
Matthew 6:25-24
What does it say?
Let me see . . . it says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [Y]our heavenly Father knows that you need [these things]. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."
You okay now?
I'm good. 
Enjoy your walk with Rabbit, and when you think of it, write down what I said so other people can read it and be encouraged.
Will do. Thank You, Holy Spirit.

 
 

Missing Rabbit

I didn't think I'd ever have a dog. When we lived in Boston, our lease prevented us from having pets. When we moved into our own home, I discovered that I had developed an allergy to dogs and a thousand other things after my pregnancy with Cairo.

So many people tried to tell me that I should get a hypoallergenic dog, but when I did my research, it turns out that there is no such thing. Whenever I was around dogs - didn't matter what the breed was - I ended up having a hard time breathing.

I tried to convince myself that I didn't want a dog. I had grown up with mostly cats (adopted from the ASPCA in NY mainly to keep the mice at bay), and had only had two dogs. And even then, Blazer and Brownsville were only part of our family very briefly. I didn't have to have a dog. I have a wonderful husband, amazing kids, and a dream job. Life could be just fine without a dog, right? 😩

But it wasn't . . . so I prayed. I was willing to even try allergy shots if that would help. We filled out an application with Survivor Tails Animal Rescue (Adopt - Don't Shop!) and looked at the pictures of the dogs available for adoption. And then there was Rabbit. I fell in love with her picture, and our whole family connected with her immediately at the meet and greet. I sniffed . . . pet her . . . sniffed . . . she licked my face . . . no tightness in my chest. No wheezing, no itchy eyes or throat, no sneezing, no congestion. After asking, seeking and knocking, there Rabbit was. No side effect but pure joy.

Some would say that finding Rabbit was just me figuring out what breed of dog I don't have an allergic reaction to. I can't . . . no, I won't walk through life without faith in God after all that God has done for me!! I'm about to do a hallelujah dance right now just thinking about God. I believe that God answered my prayers - especially considering that I still have a reaction to every other dog I'm around.  Rabbit is my miracle dog, and I'm missing her while we're at camp.

Dear Rabbit:

I hope you're having a great time with Emilia, Nathan and Mabel. I wish you could come with us to camp, but I think with us being so busy and staying at Leever Lodge with so many other people, it wouldn't be fair to you :(.  I'm so thankful that you get to stay with friends who care about you.

When Daddy and Cairo dropped you off, I wonder if you thought you wouldn't see us anymore. I wish there was a way to make sure that you knew that this would be just like when you stayed with Dawn's family. Remember we came back then? We're coming back this time, too!

I wish you like looking at screens, because I sure would FaceTime you, but we've tried that before, you're not really into technology :).  I packed all of your favorite things, hoping that you'd somehow feel connected because you had a lot of things to remind you of home, our rhythms and routines. your bed, your jacket (in case it rains), baby carrots, Greenies, Benebones, SmartBones, your ball, even a new squeaky, flat goose (has to be flat so you have to work harder to dismember it!), and a three page letter for Emilia and Nathan so they'll know all about you.

If my heart could speak to your heart, here is what it would say:

I love the sound of the tags on your collar as you come down the hallway to see me when I wake up in the morning.

I love going on walks with you. Even though you sniff EVERYTHING, I love watching you investigate and discover. You help me to pay attention to things that I typically don't see.

I love snuggling on the couch with you. You're SO heavy. I don't think you understand that you're not a lap dog. But when you lay on me, I feel so loved. I hope you feel loved, too.

I love how fiercely protective you are. 

I love when you jump up on the bed and keep me company in my room.

I love how you look at me and how affectionate you are. Nothing else like it.

I love watching you do scoot butt (zoomies)- usually with Cairo. He's your turn-up buddy and although we fuss at him when he gets you worked up, I think it's really funny 😂.

It drives me crazy, but you sure are a powerful advocate for what you want. If we're working out, you lick/waterboard us while we do yoga, or lay your ratty skunk or snake across our necks. You're such a nut, but no one can accuse you of not letting your needs be known.

I think it's hilarious that you lick Cairo's knees, and for SO long while we eat dinner. I guess he's a tasty boy, huh?

I love how goofy you are. You can make me laugh so hard on my most challenging days.  

Have so much fun! Remember how much I love you, and I'll see you soon!

Love always,
💖Mommy🐾