Thursday, January 17, 2019

What do Humans and Pets have in Common?


January 17, 2019

What do Humans and Pets have in Common?

            Marshalltown KFJB AM radio station began a new program this month on Wednesday mornings called “Ask Animal Clinic—the Vet.”  On an early edition Dr. Ashley Ladihoff discussed a growing problem for pets—weighing more than is healthy.  As she discussed this issue, she stated, “One reason for pets’ increasing weight is that pet owners reward their pets with treats.”
            Clang, Clang, Clang—a bell went off at that.  Isn’t it the same for us humans?  How many times have/do we reward our children/grandchildren with treats?  How many times have/do we reward ourselves with food?  “I have really had a difficult day.  I deserve a brownie, or potato chips, or ice cream”—whatever one’s favorite food reward is.
            At our extended family Christmas celebration, we “oohed” and “aahed” over my sister-in-law’s 87 pound weight loss (she looks great).  She smiled and told us of the reward she gave herself for her weight loss—shopping for new clothes. 
            So what’s a good reward for you other than food when you have had a tough day, or have lost weight?  A great reward for me is to make a cup of tea and “let” myself sit and read for an hour with NO guilt.
            Or I can stop and meditate on God’s rewards to me—the greatest of those being the Holy One’s love, which nothing, absolutely nothing can take away from me:  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV).
            So let’s go ahead and reward ourselves when we’ve had a tough day or achieved a goal—with that which feeds our spirits.

                                                                                                                                    Sharon Witty

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