1 Peter 3:3-5
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful."
I've always been captured by this phrase - a gentle and quiet spirit. What is a gentle and quiet spirit? What comes to mine is a willowy silhouette in a flowing white gown, stitching with nimble and slender hands...Is it achievable by zany and boisterous me? The one always known to have the infectious laughter?
I believe we will always be that willowy silhouette in God's Eyes, no matter how crazy, fun-loving, wild, and groovy we are. It's all in the heart. A gentle and quiet spirit waiting on God.
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
'Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read:
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.
Nor do we merely feel these essences
For one short hour; no, even as the trees
That whisper round a temple become soon
Dear as the temple's self, so does the moon,
The passion poesy, glories infinite,
Haunt us till they become a cheering light
Unto our souls, and bound to us so fast
That, whether there be shine or gloom o'ercast,
They always must be with us, or we die.
Therefore, 'tis with full happiness that
IWill trace the story of Endymion.
The very music of the name has gone
Into my being, and each pleasant scene
Is growing fresh before me as the green
Of our own valleys: so I will begin
Now while I cannot hear the city's din;
Now while the early budders are just new,
And run in mazes of the youngest hue
About old forests; while the willow trails
Its delicate amber; and the dairy pails
Bring home increase of milk.
And, as the year
Grows lush in juicy stalks, I'll smoothly steer
My little boat, for many quiet hours,
With streams that deepen freshly into bowers.
Many and many a verse I hope to write,
Before the daisies, vermeil rimmed and white,
Hide in deep herbage; and ere yet the bees
Hum about globes of clover and sweet peas,
I must be near the middle of my story.
O may no wintry season, bare and hoary,
See it half finished: but let Autumn bold,
With universal tinge of sober gold,
Be all about me when I make an end!
And now at once, adventuresome, I send
My herald thought into a wilderness:
There let its trumpet blow, and quickly dress
My uncertain path with green, that I may speed
Easily onward, thorough flowers and weed.
-Book 1 of the Endymion by John Keats
It's funny. I never knew why people loved dogs so much that they can play with them, eat with them, sleep with them, do EVERYTHING with them!
I was always a bystander. People play with their dogs, it's their own fun, just like anyone playing with his Gameboy or new stereo set for that matter. I don't rush up to dogs to rub them or tickle them going: "Oh! What a handsome dog!"
Simon said I'm not a dog-person. What's a dog-person? Simon says a dog-person has a natural affinity for dogs. And dogs have a natural affinity for a dog-person.
When I was first introduced to Jen Jen, the pretty doggie in the picture, I was so thrilled by her stuff-toy-like appearance but aside from that, it was awkward. I didn't know what to do. Well, it's not like I've had no dogs before, but dogs in my vocab, have always been the guard-dog; dogs or all pets for that matter are all liabilities which you hafta take care of.
Jen Jen showed utterly no respect for me. She probably sniffed out that I was no dog-person. She climbed all over me, jumped at me and would only be still when her owner, Simon commanded her to sit. The only consolation was that her tail was wagging (for you dog-ignoramuses out there like me, it is good news- it means she's friendly). Perhaps if there was any "other woman" in our relationship, it would be Jen Jen. Of course it's so silly to look at her in this way. Jen Jen is really endearing. She's extremely obedient and she has given me a fresh outlook to what dogs really are.
Sometimes, I see Simon and Jen Jen playing like the closest buddies and I feel envious. It's strange that I should actually be envious of such a situation but hey! I wanna have such a great relationship with dogs too!
Things have progressed since I first met Jen Jen. She recognises me and attempts to play with me when Simon is not around. She is like a baby! Somewhat brings out maternal instincts? I dunno *shrug* eeeee...bleah!
Just the other night, we brought Jen Jen out to play with some other dogs. It's interesting to watch closer and read the expressions in their faces. To understand that they each have their temperaments, they have their own personalities (or doganalities), and quirks! All this is so interesting! They are INDEED like a bunch of children, and each dog has its own upbringing in the care of their owners.
I've become quite interested in dog-personalities and behavioural psychology, thanks to Simon and Jen Jen! But what can I say, it's a faucet of life I never explored till now. I thank God for Simon and Jen Jen. It's a beautiful relationship!
