Pets can teach us stewardship
What lessons have you learned from your dog - or cat - lately?
By Tony Staley
Late last month, I lost a mentor in stewardship. Jackie and I had to put down our beloved dog, Jasmine, whom I first introduced to Compass readers nearly 14 years ago.
So what does a dog know about stewardship? A lot, I learned, over the years.
First, stewardship means recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and for that we are to give thanks. Jasmine was certainly a gift - an unexpected one. I just happened to see her photo in a Humane Society adopt-a-pet ad. We hadn't been looking for a dog. We certainly didn't want one that big (58 pounds), with that much energy or hair. But it was love at first sight. I knew God meant this dog for us and no steward can turn down a gift from God.
We quickly learned that caring for a dog is stewardship, but that was just lesson one.
Jasmine showed us how to give and accept love. Her regal and confident bearing, her acceptance of us proved that she knew she was loved. She also showed us that we need to live to the fullest, reach out to others with love and concern, and to share.
Sharing and dogs might not seem to go together. But Jasmine, who normally took all day to eat her dinner, never objected when visiting dogs ate part of it. She was not so generous with a special meat treat, but as stewards we're not expected to share absolutely everything.
Stewardship includes physical fitness and taking proper care of oneself. Jasmine made sure we got our daily walk for 30-40 minutes every morning at six. After work, we'd do it again.
On our walks, she taught me to stop and smell the roses; that distractions are OK; and, if we pay attention, God's gifts are everywhere, perhaps disguised as a discarded doughnut or pizza slice. She also offered another great health tip, which we call Jasmine's Rule: When traveling, never pass up a chance to use the bathroom. (This rule becomes more important with
each passing year.)
Jasmine loved people. She and Jackie would walk in midmorning or early afternoon. By then, people were out, people for Jasmine to meet. Jasmine often went up to people working in their yards to say "Hi." Sometimes, she was rewarded with a treat, but Jackie was always rewarded by meeting and talking to someone new - either way, gifts from God. Jackie made several friends this way, one in particular whom Jasmine insisted that they visit often.
Jasmine taught us about hospitality. She always celebrated and greeted visitors properly settling down. When they left, she expected to say goodbye.
Part of her service outreach was by being completely present to someone, completely focused and listening, no multi-tasking allowed. I still struggle with that concept.
As Bishop Robert Morneau says, stewardship is about loving and obeying. Our God loves us and gives us everything we have. In return we are to love God, ourselves and others, and respond obediently with prayer, service and sharing. When we do that, joy and peace result. Living with Jasmine, caring for her, seeing how she treated others and realizing that we were called to do likewise, brought us joy and peace.
It doesn't matter whether Jasmine knew that she was teaching us stewardship any more that it mattered that the apple knew it was teaching Newton about gravity. What matters is that God provides us with such gifts, such agents, and that we see and respond.
(Staley is a former editor of The Compass and a member of Resurrection Parish, Green Bay.)
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