Charlie has a rough and tough side, like most dogs. He digs in the dirt, chases rodents, and loves a rigorous game of tug-o-war.
But, Charlie also has a sensitive side. He can seem almost fragile at times. When getting his nails trimmed Charlie is skittish. Taking a bath also causes some nervousness in Charlie. His most sensitive moment is if someone touches his tail. When the tail is brushed with a foot or other object, he jumps and whimpers as though injured.
It can be comical, but mostly Charlie’s sensitivities are an annoyance. Clipping his nails and giving him a bath become difficult chores because he acts so fearfully. When a foot brushes his tail, his yelp startles us and makes our hearts skip a beat. Most times, his bark is completely unnecessary because he hasn’t even been touched!
Although sometimes irritating, it is good that Charlie has ways of reminding us that he is fragile. We need to remember that he is our dog, and he needs our care. We have to be gentle in the way we love him because he is a living breathing creature. Sometimes we forget that with one another.
These days, it’s not really acceptable to be considered fragile. Being tough and strong are attributes that people pride themselves in.
What we fail to realize in that way of thinking is that being fragile doesn’t mean we lack value. Sure, when something is tough and strong it means you can abuse it and test it and it will last through all of that. But, I guess the question is, should we be testing one another like that?
We like to think of our relationships as strong, but really they are fragile. We like to think of ourselves as tough, but we’re actually delicate. We should take a moment to recognize that in our dealings with each other and ourselves we need to “handle with care.”
We can think of this strong versus fragile like this: The plastic cups in my cupboard get stacked and shifted in all kinds of ways. They fall and no one thinks twice. My crystal wine glasses, on the other hand, are placed in a special cupboard. They are treated with the honor and respect they deserve. The same goes for clothes, jewelry, and other things we own.
If we can understand the value of things, why do we have such trouble understanding the value of one another? Maybe, unlike Charlie, we learn not to cry out when we are being trampled on. Perhaps it’s because we’ve learned that others just get upset when we let them know we’re sensitive. Or, maybe, we are giving into the father of lies when we tell ourselves we need to be tough, and that we’re not as fragile as we seem.
Maybe that’s why we have such a hard time understanding the Gospel.
We hear about the weak and sick that Jesus healed and think, “isn’t it too bad that that person couldn’t help themselves?” Or, “it’s good that I’m not like that! I can take care of myself!”
I know that it is scary to share the fragile parts of yourself with others. It makes us vulnerable. Sometimes when that happens we cry out, like Charlie, to keep others from hurting us.
It’s only natural to try and protect ourselves. But, as usual, Jesus is calling us to the super-natural.
Jesus tells us we have to share ourselves with others really letting them in, and showing them that we care too. That means being vulnerable. That means showing our fragile side.
We have to remember that God made us this way. He is always calling us to love and care for one another. We need each other, because we are fragile and delicate. It isn’t shameful; it’s honorable.
So, be careful of stepping on tails. We all need to be handled with care.
Right, Charlie?
-Christy Cabaniss
