Dogs Demonstrate Relationship Building.
Curated from a newsletter written by Pastor Cole, Methodist Minister.
As I write this article I'm watching my dogs play in the living room. They dash around as they chase each other throughout the space. They occasionally stop and then restart to play—biting each other with tails wagging and having fun. They tease one another with toys and barks. They are locked into a chaotic dance back and forth in turn as each gets the upper hand on the other. They have learned how gentle to bite. They have learned which dog prefers to be chased and which dog would rather do the chasing. After a few months of constant relationship and learning from one another they play without anyone getting angry, hurt or upset (most of the time). It is amazing to see how much they have built trust over time and play well with each other.
My dogs spend day after day figuring out each other in order to serve the needs of the other. They work to understand how they can build a healthy, forgiving and selfless relationship. It is wonderful to think about it and they trust each other so much when our older dog barks the younger one joins in. When the older dog is scared of thunder the younger dog doesn't try to tease her but respects her boundaries. When the older dog runs after a toy, the younger dog is right behind her. There is an important lesson of mentorship here—an opportunity to Love, Grow, Serve.
Consider the word “relationship.” What do our relationships look like in the world with strangers, with neighbors and with our church. We cannot isolate ourselves at home. We live a life filled with relationships. It is impossible to live without being in relationships with others.
Building relationships with another takes time and consistency. One doesn't build trust in an instant, but over time. You invest yourself in the lives of others in order to know them and truly serve their physical and spiritual needs. We don’t live by ourselves. We need to be present with one another. We need to Love, Grow, Serve each other. Jesus had 12 disciples not zero. He spoke to the poor, the rich, the sick, the healthy, the tax collector and the Pharisees. He took the necessary time in his ministry and we are called to do the same thing.
This doesn't mean we have to give everything away. But we do have a responsibility to help those we can. There is always an opportunity to work through ourselves at all times. There is an opportunity for you to make an impact on someone's life just with the time that you give. You don't have to be strong, knowledgeable, sociable, or perfect—just available—both to God and to humanity. You have to take time when you are called to help others with the church and the community. When we serve our community, people's lives can be changed forever. It all starts with building good relationships through utilizing our time and attention to make the most of that time. Be willing. Choose to give out and give back in service to the others: Love, Grow, Serve.
9/24/2023