The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director. Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year. God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started i...
1) Max loves being in the house. He wouldn't have it any other way. In his eyes, better is one day in our house than a thousand elsewhere. When we are out on a walk and he sees our house, he immediately gets excited and starts walking, sometimes even running faster to get there.
2) I am very careful to make sure Max is fed daily. He never comes up to me and complains, "Hey, I'm not being fed." Max is grateful and lives a life of thanksgiving.
3) Max has mastered the Apostle Paul's biblical admonition about contentment. He likes his food to be mixed with yogurt everyday but even if it's not he's happy to eat it dry. He never barks, "Hey! You forgot to get yogurt!!!"
4) Max has so much joy, everyday. He rejoices when he wakes up, and again and again, he says, "rejoice". Every time somebody walks in the door he rejoices. When he eats he rejoices. When he sleeps, he rejoices. When you snuggle with him, he rejoices. If you go out to the mailbox and come back in, he acts like you just came in for the first time and rejoices all over again.
5) Max isn't going through a transition, getting married, taking a job across the country or entering a new season that won't include me. Max is very stable and dependable. You can count on him.
6) Max just loves to be together. He's all about community. He doesn't have unrealistic expectations. Just sitting next to me while I work or laying down to take a nap or watch a movie is Max's idea of heaven. He doesn't push me any further for extra bells and whistles...he just loves fellowshipping.
7) Max is a connector. He doesn't complain that no one is coming up to him. He takes the first initiative and says, "Hey, I'm here!" Max lets everyone know he's on the scene and shows himself friendly. If someone doesn't reciprocate he doesn't put his tail between his legs and walk away. He simply goes and finds the next person to introduce himself to.
8) Max is very caring. He knows how to bear other people's burdens. If someone is upset -- crying, yelling or depressed he walks over to see what's wrong. He will lick your hand or face until you let him know you are really okay. I don't recommend for Christians to lick others until they tell them they are fine, however for Max, it works.
9) Max is a very peaceful dog. He's never been in a fight.
10) Max has pure motivations. There really isn't a manipulative, ill motivated bone in him. There is no hidden agenda with Max -- he is who he is - and everyone around him clearly sees that. What you see is what you get, and what you get is pure love.
Comments
As a pastor's wife and owner of a beloved 6-pound dog who I love to snuggle with, I had to chuckle out loud several times at some of your Max Points. So very, very true.
In fact, my head actually got tired from all the nodding I did while reading! (It's obvious that my head is not in as good of shape as the rest of my perfectly toned body.) ha
I'll be sure to mark your site and come back for more visits.
Becky Smith