Saturday, January 14, 2012

Baxter's Misled Appetite

Baxter’s appetite is led by his nose. If it smells yummy to him, he wants it. If I am cooking something whose aroma catches his fancy, he will start crying for a taste before it is out of the oven or off the stove top. He sits in the kitchen with his nose in the air sniffing, hoping to catch a delectable whiff of something that he can con me into sharing. Usually, I am strong and refuse his groping paw or plaintive meows or begging eyes. However, once in a while I weaken and give into his beckoning. Generally, this is a mistake. Except for fish and a little chicken, Baxter’s stomach doesn’t take to table food very well, and the evidence to prove this point is normally brought up on the floor within a half hour of consumption. Still, the clockwork reaction doesn’t stop him the next time from sniffing the air for what he thinks is scrumptious and begging for a sample. His desires are stronger than the reasonable conclusions he or I should draw from previous experience. At times, we both ignore our better sense and give in to the desire of the moment. Then what we think will be a tasty pleasure, more often turns out to be a smelly mess on the floor.

Like Baxter, we too can get caught up in the appeal of earthly desires, and these reach beyond the craving for fattening foods. Our ambition can drive us to lose touch with friends and family and our values just to get ahead in life. Our greed can entice us to cut corners on ethical practices or risk our basic resources on a gamble to get rich quick. Our sexual passions can lead us to abandon life-long commitments to feel the fire again. Whatever is driving us can ruin us, if we do not channel our desires to purposes bigger than ourselves and the moment before us. We need to stop and think. What are we doing and does it make sense in the big picture of our life?

Our decisions have consequences beyond ourselves. It is not simply a matter of what “I” want, but what effect my desires if carried out will have on me, those I love, and the larger community where I live. We are not isolated atoms, orbiting alone around each year of our lives. We are part of a universe of persons whose lives intersect for good or ill according to the terms we draw for our relationships. If the only concern is me, me, me, then we may feel good in our moment of satisfaction, but we may end up sick and regretful when the full picture of damaged trust, betrayed loyalty and uncertain reliability is revealed. The mess of damaged relationships is far greater and more long-lasting than any physical discharge. It is a scarred soul and lost opportunities for grace and depth of meaning to life.

Baxter can’t help himself when it comes to tempting food aromas. His instincts kick in, and he is a slave to his passions. We have more with which to work. God gave us a mind to judge the reasonable course in facing a decision, and a heart to care for our commitments to each other. Head and heart together can guide our passions to drive us to a depth of meaning for our lives that is both mysterious and enlightening. Use your head. Respect your heart. Filled with faith, they will not let us down, but will lead us to a holy life.