A Job For Pepper

Laziness leads to poverty; hard work makes you rich.

PEPPER LOVED TO WORK. From the moment the black and gray Australian shepherd awoke in the morning, she had one important mission—retrieve the paper. Pepper took her job very seriously.

So seriously, in fact, that some Sundays when the paper was too thick and heavy to fit in her mouth, Pepper would push it toward the house with her nose. Her owners, Kathy and Mike, were both amused and inspired by her persistence.

One Sunday, the newspaper had landed partly in some bushes near the driveway, making it impossible for Pepper to push it with her nose. She dug at the paper, frantically trying to grab it. When Kathy noticed Pepper’s predicament, she went outside to help.

“That’s okay, girl,” Kathy said, collecting the newspaper. “I’ll get it today.”

Kathy turned to walk back to the house, but Pepper didn’t move.

The dog sat at attention—head cocked to the side, ears up, eyes focused on the paper in Kathy’s hands.

“Come on, Pepper,” Kathy called. “Let’s go inside.”

But Pepper remained motionless, still staring at the paper.

Impressed by the commitment her dog had to her job, Kathy slid the paper from the plastic sleeve, pulled out the city/state news section, and handed it over.

Kathy chuckled as Pepper proudly carried her section of the paper into the house. Granted, large areas were illegible smudges because of Pepper’s drool. But the Aussie was proud of herself. She had been trained for a job, and she took pleasure in completing that job every day.

All hard work brings a profit.

With the delivery completed, Pepper devoured a bowl of kibble, spent some time in the backyard, and enjoyed a belly rub before falling asleep at Kathy’s feet—likely dreaming of thinner papers tossed in open areas.

As Kathy read the paper, her gaze kept drifting to Pepper. She couldn’t help but be convicted.

“God,” Kathy prayed, “make me more like my dog—eager and happy to do the work you set before me. Give me the confidence and perseverance to complete each task. And if I can’t, please send someone to help me.”

Still sleeping, Pepper let out a series of muffled yips that sounded like chuckles.

“And yes, Lord,” Kathy added with her own laugh, “if you send someone to help me, I promise I will still do my part and carry my own section.”

PAWS & PONDER . . .

How do you feel about work? Do you think today’s proverb is referring only to monetary riches as a reward for hard work? What other kinds of riches might this verse be addressing? Is there a task God has given you that you haven’t started? What is holding you back? Would you make a commitment to him right now to complete that task as an act of worship and love?

Paws & Pray

Lord, some days I am discouraged at work. Please help me see that no matter what I do, it is work that you have given me to do. If I need assistance, let me set aside my pride and seek it. I want to approach each task as an act of love and worship. Show me how to find that balance between hard work and rest that you desire for my well-being.