MARTY - OFFICE BEAGLE

My sons own their own business.

They work in their own office.

This brings certain pressures and stress to their lives – indeed.  But, it also affords certain privileges.

Like bringing your dog to work – every day.

Did you know that there is an official "Take Your Dog to Work Day"?  Yup, it started in 1999 in the United States.

I think it's a great idea – though I'm thinking it's a lot more practical in some occupations than others.  Some less-than-ideal scenarios:

At the nail salon – "Rover, stop licking her toes!"

At the library – "Skippy, use your INSIDE voice."

At the baseball park – "No, Spot, NO!  Don't go after that fly ball.  Spot…Spot...oh no."

At the local restaurant – "Yes sir, I'll get you another order of bacon.  By the way, have you seen Bowser?"

At the dentist's office – "Open wide.  Oh, Fido, stop sniffing her canine teeth."


But, at my sons' office, Marty is an asset.

He makes a great receptionist.  His greeting skills are excellent.  Most times when I pull into the parking space in front of the office, I can see a small beagle head waiting at the front door.  Though I can't see the wagging tail, I know it's wagging.  The wiggly head gives it away.

And if the little happy face isn't waiting at the door, it pokes around the corner as soon as I step into the office.

He is a living, breathing, furry welcome mat.

Marty is also very good at keeping up office morale.

Marty makes sure that he visits everyone throughout the day.  Sometimes he's lounging on his dog bed, sometimes he's stretched out on the couch.

But, he's an equal-opportunity visitor.  

Another thing that Marty excels at is ball retrieval.  My sons have a miniature ping-pong table at the office.  Good for coffee breaks.  And any errant ping is immediately ponged by one eager beagle.

Marty is also trying out for the Annual Office Calendar – and spends part of the afternoon posing in various positions in the small patch of sunlight that hits the carpet every day.  He's got to be careful though – tender pink beagle skin can get sunburned!!

So, being Office Beagle is quite a treat for Marty, and I dare say it's fun for my sons, too.

When I'm in town, I like to spend some time at the office.  I'll work on my blog, or I'll read – (most often I'm enlisted to bring in lunch!)  And I enjoy just *hanging out* with the entrepreneurs.

But, yes, it also gives me some precious time with my grandbeagle – who snuggles up next to me.

I got to thinking about this – because I'm always looking for what lessons Marty has to teach me about God.

And in this situation, I learned a few things.


First of all, it's a real privilege to be able to go to the office.

Just like it's a real treat for us to be invited into the throne room!

Yes, friends, we are told by the King of the Universe to "Come on in!" Do we lose sight of how wonderful this is?  I know I do.  I forget that my prayers are an awesome privilege.  I am speaking to the Almighty God, after all.  Who encourages me to talk to Him!

We must never forget that the Lord Himself asks us to come into His workplace.  He includes us in His purposes. 

This is a wonder indeed.


I think of Marty's eager welcome.  Do I approach my day that way?  Do I treat other people that way?

How often do I view people as interruptions to my day?  But, those random meetings or conversations are not to be taken lightly.  We must hold our schedules loosely, for God has ways of bringing His assignments into our lives in the most unexpected – and sometimes untimely – ways.

We should greet them eagerly.


How about that issue of morale?

Am I a positive influence on the people I meet?  What about the people that I know – the ones that I live my life with?  Am I an encourager, or do I bring them down?

I am chagrined at how often I fall into complaining, or into doomsday worrying.  And all too often, I "share the wealth."  I spread my bad mood, or fretful spirit all over everyone I come in contact with.  I wear my feelings on my sleeve, yes.  But I also seem determined to have everyone look at, and smell, and touch, and put on my sleeves.

Sigh.

I don't think I boost *office morale* at all sometimes.

Marty has a way of sensing who needs his presence.  And in his quiet beagle way, he brings peace and joy wherever he goes.

I need to be mindful that I do the same.


So, once again, Marty teaches me lessons.

He allows me to see the beauty of his heart – and shows me how I should behave as a believer.

Grateful for the invitation to the throne room of God.  Listened to, and included in His grand scheme of redemption.

Cheerful and eager to meet and greet those I come in contact with. Even if it means interruptions to "my" day.

Quietly and peacefully bringing encouragement to the people I know. Being there when someone needs me.  Spending time with them, just hanging out.


And Marty shows me that work doesn't have to be drudgery, not when you're a friend of God.

Every day, I think I should wake up with this thought:


"Today, I get to go to the office with The Boss!!"

It's A Dog's Life

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." 
(Hebrews 4:16, NLT)

"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." (Colossians 3:23, NLT, 1996 version)

"Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." (1 Corinthians 15:58, NLT)

"'And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.'" (Matthew 10:42, NLT)

"[God] will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do." 
(Hebrews 6:10, NLT)


What does it mean to you to be a worker for the Lord?


(Note: The above photo of Marty was NOT posed!  He cracks me up!!)


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at UNITE
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAY
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Shari at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Gail at TGIF
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Patricia at STILL SATURDAY
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS


BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”