Dog Food Dilemma

Dog Food Dilemma

Theology in the Trenches

by Kathleen Kjolhaug

Long story short, my husband and I were preparing for a road trip. Seeing the new grand babe was the reason; thus, the prep it entailed to get up and go was worth it. HE focused on the farm and HIS place of business. I focused on the house and MY place of employment.

From MY vantage point, the lesson plans were in place and my feet set in motion to press the pedal to the metal. The home-front was lookin good as bags were packed and the alarm was set for a 7:00 a.m. departure.

All appeared to be in order from HIS point of view as well. The farm chores were completed the eve before, a sitter for the doggies had been secured, and late night office hours sealed the deal that indeed we would be able to leave on time. With a twelve hour trip ahead, it was important that the day be spent on the road and not merely trying to get out of town…so-to-speak. In MY mind, every minute lost meant we might be permanently detained, and that was not an option!

And so it was, and so it went. It went rather smoothly up until five minutes before take-off. It was precisely at this point that HE lifted the lid of the dog food container and promptly asked, “Is this all the dog food there is?”

I looked back at HIM, and HE at ME, and the chasm created was like that of the Great Divide.

HE stared blankly pointing out the fact that somehow, through the years, it’s become MY job to buy the dog food. And I, on the other hand, stared back just as intently while pointing out that HE lifts the dog food lid each day, and HE could have mentioned it sooner…rather than later!

ME:  “My dog eats only a handful. There is plenty for her.”

HIM:  “My dog eats a lot, and there’s not enough. Someone needs to go to town before we leave and buy more.”

ME:  “There’s no time!”

HIM:  “There’s no choice!”

ME:  “I don’t like buying the dog food!”

HIM:  “But you buy the groceries!”

ME:  “Dog food is not people food. It’s not a grocery item. I don’t like using the grocery money for dog food!”

I got into the car, went to town, made the purchase, and thirty minutes later than planned, we rolled on down the road.

For two hours we drove. In complete silence we drove. A Christian music station played in the background, Marriage Encounters were advertised, praise songs were lifted on high, legislative issues were celebrated, but we cruised on…cold as ice all the while the temps rose within the confines of the space we inhabited.

Finally, after a major melt-down, hearts melted along with it.

.

HIM: “Okay, I’ll buy the dog food from now on.”

ME:  “I accept your proposal and will allow you to do just that.”

And that is why I love HIM because even though HE may not agree with the logic behind the argument, HE has a servant’s heart and lives it. And that is how WE make a nice US.  The most Biblical words of all brought not only closure, but peace.

“I’m sorry.” We both said it; we meant it.

“Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). Amen.