A Parish Puppy?
“Oh Mark” said Revd Nick to me, “You will be fine…….You will be like the parish puppy…..You can do whatever you want, even wee on the carpet, and everyone will say ‘Aahh!’” (picture a dreamy happy face with that sentence and you’ve got it!)
This is what Nick said to me during one of our early discussions about settling into my new role as Curate of the Benefice of Dunnington, Holtby, Warthill and Stockton-on-the -Forest. He was of course reassuring this nervous novice all fresh and new at the beginning of my ministry. Well, at least I think he was, as I am sure nobody expects me to wee on the carpet! Needless to say, his comment made me chuckle and certainly settled me a little. But there’s more. Little did Nick know that his comment was laden with irony. For my wife and I have just welcomed our eight-week-old yellow Labrador puppy to our home. She is called Winnie, although we haven’t decided if she is named after Winnie the Pooh, (for obvious reasons!) or Winnie the Poole (thanks for the idea Facebook friends!)
Having a puppy turns things upside down a bit. Routines need to be changed and I find myself in familiar, although long forgotten territory of caring for a baby and toddler battling broken sleep and having eyes in the back of my head if I am to save a family heirloom from being chewed into tatters. It is in the wee hours of the morning waiting for said puppy to do just that in the garden that I was reminded of Nick’s amusing comment back in July, and this got me thinking. I wonder, how much wisdom there really is in likening the new curate to a parish puppy…..
True, I am definitely not the cutest, cuddliest and most adorable thing to set foot in the parishes, but there could be some similarities. I list them:
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Winnie has rolls of fur and skin, rather like wearing an oversized jacket that she has to grow into. I too have much growing to do as I inhabit the role.
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Pup needs teaching what to do where and when. This has been a steep learning curve for me too adapting to parish ministry.
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Unsurprisingly, she is very giddy, excitable and playful at times, soon followed by an overwhelming need to sleep. My family roll their eyes at that similarity!
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Adapting to her new environment, life is one big exploration with lots of things to learn which can be both surprising and daunting. Ditto!
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“Puppy watch” demands intense observation and scrutiny to prevent disaster! I can relate to that feeling of being observed and scrutinised as someone new. As for Winnie, I am sure it is done with nothing other than a desire to care and protect. At least I think it is!
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Every now and again Winnie stops in her tracks and glances up seemingly lacking in confidence and seeking reassurance and encouragement. I can so relate to that feeling….
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The puppy Bible called “Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy” (that really IS the title!) advises to never say “No,” rather re-direct and guide her from something she shouldn’t be doing to the required behaviour. Maybe Nick has been doing this with me and I haven’t realised! Maybe this illustrates he would be a natural puppy parent!
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Puppies have the concentration span of a gnat. I am really hoping that here there is NO similarity here whatsoever!
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And finally, she is ALWAYS hungry! Judging by the amount of home-made cake and scones I have consumed on my visits to the lovely folks of the benefice you can be forgiven for thinking that I really am so very much the parish puppy! The only thing with that of course is, at my age, I really don’t need to grow anymore!
Naturally, I have a strong desire to form a lasting bond with Winnie as she develops from a puppy into a fully grown dog and becomes my companion. It’s what we do with pets. Reflecting on this over these last few days gave me a fresh understanding of God’s longing and desire to be in relationship with all His children. Unlike me, who wants to be loved by Winnie in return, our God loves with outrageous abundance, even if it is not returned. His compassion, mercy, tenderness, and love for us all is unconditional. Oh, what love this is! This lifts my spirits and sustains and nourishes me day by day, especially in times such as these. I hope it does the same for you.
In a few weeks I will be able to start walking Winnie out and about. If you see us please say hello, both parish puppies would love it!
Your Curate, Mark