Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -1 Cor 13:4-7
Love is patient
I may not be patient myself, but I can recognize it in others. Ruby's a pretty self-sufficient dog, but she's still short an opposable thumb to master those pesky door knobs, hence until we cut a hole in our front entrance and install a doggie door, she needs a little help when she has to do her business. She doesn't often bark, but when she does it's one loud semi-piercing yelp. She's sitting on one side of the door either asking politely to go out or to return back in. She does not pester or yap inconsolably, she just gets her point across without nagging or drawing excessive attention to herself. The part that made me aware of her patience beyond belief, is that she barks once, and if no one comes to free her to relieve herself, she waits. She waits about 5 minutes before she gives one more bark. She recognizes we might be busy and puts our needs above her own, even if it means she might have to cross her legs for awhile. Part of loving is assuming the best instead of assuming the worst about the ones you love, Ruby never jumps to conclusions and accuses us of forgetting her.
Love is kind
If greeting you at the door with a smile, warming your feet when they're chilled, nuzzling you when you're sad, cuddling you when you're lonely, and jumping up and down with you when you're rejoicing, isn't the definition of kind, I'm not sure what is.
It does not envy
I don't know about your dog, but ours eats dog food. The same kibble day in and day out. She's not gonna refuse scraps of your delectable ever-changing diet if you "inadvertently" drop some, but she won't beg for them or pout about it either. She won't covet the other dog's sweater (or lack thereof), nor fuss when she has to leave the park and her friends get to stay. She'll share her toys with you, her yard, her home, even her family.
It is not self-seeking
Even when she's straining a bit at the end of the leash with enthusiasm, I'm sure it's only to encourage you to move faster on the other end and burn more calories. If she takes her time responding to your call she clearly senses the threat of a nearby squirrel and she's securing the premises one last time.
It is not easily angered
Go ahead, try to make her mad. Take away her toy, her food, her bed, her friend... She'll either go back to the beginning and practice her patience or jump ahead and move right to forgiveness. Angry is not in her vocabulary.
It keeps no record of wrongs
We missed Ruby's birthday this year. We thought about it a couple times before the fact, but then on the day of we just plumb forgot. When I remembered a couple days later, I looked at her expecting reproach, resentment, passive aggression, but no, she just looked up at me as if nothing had ever happened. Can you think of another female who would so easily let her birthday slip by without even a mention?! Ruby understands forgiveness. Once she's forgiven you for stepping on her tail or neglecting to feed her on time she recognizes your sadness in the apology and quickly turns her attention back to comforting you.
Always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres
I've mentioned in another post how everyday is the best day of Ruby's life. If you were to, say, pick up her leash inciting a storm of excitement the likes of which you've never seen unless you're a lab owner, and then get distracted, have an emergency pull you away, or just change your mind, it will still be the best day ever even without that walk. If you open the door to invite her to go for a much anticipated car ride, but then just let her sit in the grocery store parking lot instead of running with her at the park, she'll still thank you with wags and kisses. She'll continue to trust you when you pick up the leash no matter how many times you let her down. She'll always hope the destination of every ride in the car is the dog park with a full wading pool, even if you never take her there again. And she'll persevere to the end when it comes to pleasing those she loves, even though it means wearing clothes sometimes...
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| She's never met a stranger, or anyone with a malady she was afraid to catch. This little guy had Tuberculosis. She's also never met a body of water too dirty, crowded, cold, or off-limits that she didn't need to plunge in. |
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| If your team's short a mascot and you make a sweater in the school colors, she'll not only wear it with pride she'll also protect you from squirrels at most team events. |
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| Look out, if you're on the floor to do sit-ups, sleep, or clean, she'll be right there to lend a helping hand. |
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| If you tell her it's cold outside and she needs to wear a coat, she'll never argue like some of your other children might... |
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| I wouldn't say this was her favorite outfit, but she didn't complain. |
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| She makes by far the best kissy face! |
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