Molly and Saralee

Saralee, a white Maltese, and Molly, a silvery Shih Poo, are two little rescue dogs my husband George and I adopted a few years ago.

Both are very attached to George. Saralee spends hours sleeping on his lap.

I cannot blame her. Her life before us was indulgent with too much of the wrong attention. She expects her breakfast in bed and lunch and snacks on George’s lap.

Molly, twice Saralee’s size, spends her time at George’s feet or in her crate. She watches Saralee, and as soon as Saralee gets down, Molly begs for a cuddle.

If both dogs arrive at George’s chair together, there is a physical scuffle between them. After separating them, we must find a way to keep them both content.

Somewhere in their past, my two little dogs were neglected, one by too much cuddling and the other by too much inattention. Both still carry the results of that neglect.

These two little creatures remind me of many people.

Some expect to be constantly cuddled.

No amount of personal attention is ever enough.

Others stand by, grabbing the crumbs of affection given to them.

I look at the children I teach and recognize Saralees and Mollys in every classroom. I always ask myself, What would Jesus do with them? I constantly lift up my students to the Lord in prayer, seeking His wisdom as I deal with them.

I want to be a loving, caring adult in their lives.

I want them to see Jesus in me. As a friend, I must find ways to encourage all the Saralees and Mollys in my world. That is where Jesus comes in.

He loves all Mollys and Saralees equally.

When I think about some of the adults I know, some are like Saralee. They do not know how to live without constant attention. These people are hurt easily.

It takes lots of caring to help them love others as much as themselves. Others are more like Molly. They react to kindness and caring words quickly. Friendships with the Mollys of the world are very rewarding. It takes much thought to find ways to reassure others that they are each unique and special in God’s eyes. I remind my friends that they are the apple of God’s eye. Jesus would have died to save any one of them. Please remember, whether you see yourself as a Molly or a Saralee, you are precious and irreplaceable to God.

Patricia Cove