Posted on Fri, May. 09, 2008

-- Splish, splash.

"Those humans want me to chase that stick... not on your life!"

Wait a minute. Those can't be the thoughts of a Labrador retriever. Water and retrieving are synonymous with the breed. Yet that looked to be what my granddaughter's little Lab was thinking. He was frisky, but unsure of going out in the water after a stick.

Little Chief would stand on the banks of the lake racing to and fro, barking up a storm at the stick sailing out across the water. He was in no hurry to get his furry little paws wet. Suddenly the neighbor's dog Rookie appeared. Chief didn't have to expend his energy. Rookie took the initiative. He sailed into the water and began paddling across the lake to fetch the prize.

Old Rookie, triumph flashing in his eyes, made his way to the shore, twig in jaws, panting hard. Chief seemed to get a whim of his own. He snatched the stick from the jaws of victory. Stripping Rookie of the prize, Chief then proceeded to prance, head held high, to the "human tosser." The praise was lavish, but, oh, so undeserved.

Now, you would think this would disturb Rookie, the worker dog. Not at all. This comedy routine continued for a good half hour. Rookie panting and a-paddlin', Chief stealing and a-struttin'. It didn't matter in the least to Rookie that someone else was getting the applause. He was having fun working. He considered himself an integral part of this canine team. Rookie's tail was just plumb waggin' because he was even in the picture.

It's my guess this little photo of someone working hard and another getting the praise wouldn't cut it in the world of humans. No tails would be wagging, but there might be a tongue-lashing. Talk about raising Cain, if we were doing all the sweating while someone else was getting patted on the head. It's just my opinion, but the dogs got it right. They were having the time of their lives sharing in the game.

As the body of Christ, a closer examination of their joy might be a "that'll preach moment." It's a good thing to work together. It would be "heavenly" if we could be about our Father's business with no one caring who got the kudos or with no one keeping tabs on who did the most labor. Just happy that the glory went to the Lord.

So today let's jump in with joy and not worry who gets the pats on the back. It doesn't matter in the least anyway. All glory and honor belong to Christ Jesus, and everything we do is not for the pat on the back but for the honor of him. Scripture also says, let another man's lips praise you. So I guess we ought not be doing any fussing.

By the way, with Mother's Day coming up Sunday, this little story might even represent ol' Mom. Take the time to be the one who gives her a special bit of joy. Be sure to rise up and call her blessed. She deserves the praise and then she can just turn around and say thank you Lord for the blessing of my family.

And a little puppy will teach them. Happy Mother's Day, y'all.

Kandi Anderson is a freelance writer and speaker. She can be reached at kandianderson@bellsouth.net.