Puppies and Bottoms

Here’s what I love: puppies.  Here’s what I hate: songs about bums.

I recently went to a book signing for a very unique book called “Underwater Puppies.”  This is actually a sequel (prequel?) to a book called “Underwater Dogs.”  Both are by photographer Seth Casteel who singlehandedly snags photos of canines under water.  At the book signing, Mr. Casteel gave a little talk about how this whole concept was born and it was pretty fascinating. 

While these images are definitely entertaining, Mr. Casteel has a kind-hearted agenda in his work as well.  He’s a huge advocate for animal safety and is promoting water-safety and awareness for dogs and puppies.  His photo sessions with the puppies had two goals.  One was to get great images for his book, the second was to teach the puppies how to get out of pools on their own.  Even though dogs are born knowing how to doggy-paddle, they can’t always figure out how to get out of a pool once they’ve jumped in.   Sad!

While we politely listened to the author’s talk and had him autograph our newly purchased Underwater Puppy book, I had a strange nagging feeling all evening. 

Is water safety for dogs really important?  (Many dog-lovers are screaming an emphatic “yes” at their computer screens right now).  Okay, okay, I’m all for keeping animals from drowning in swimming pools.  Do not assume that I want puppies to drown or anything.  Puppies are cute on land and under water.  I heart puppies, okay?

However, I think what troubled me is how popular this book is—I mean, it’s the number one best selling coffee-table book, practically EVER.  It’s selling like hotcakes.  (Or hotdogs. Heh-heh, get it?)

Americans shell out money for cute pictures of puppies.   There’s nothing wrong with that, per se, but something gnawed at me and I couldn’t exactly put my finger on it until I also realized another strange obsession held by Americans: songs about booties.

I refuse to name all the pop-song anthems about butts, but you know they are out there.  This is not a new phenomenon either—songs about bums have been popular for decades (at least).  I’m not exactly sure what the draw is, but apparently booty-songs sell.  Why would countless talented singers choose to sing lyrics about a butt?  I blame Americans for buying songs about butts.  Admittedly these songs are catchy (All About That Bass anyone?)—I just wish they had a different subject matter—like perhaps puppies for example.

Puppies and Bottoms aren’t the only shallow obsession held by humans.  There are a billion different things in the world capturing our attention, affection, and dedication.  I think Toby Mac says it well in his song “Lose My Soul” when he says:

 Everything that I see draws me,

Though it's only in You that I can truly see that its a feast for the eyes- a low blow to purpose.

And I'm a little kid at a three ring circus.

You may be sheltered enough not to have heard any of these pop-culture booty anthems (consider yourself blessed), and you might not have seen a single picture of an underwater puppy (until now), but there are still other slightly shallow, ridiculous things vying for your attention.  Whether it be iPhones or pumpkin-spice lattes, cars or bracelets, PTO or the DOW, food or fiction, travel or “tablescapes,” make-up or guns, we all have things in our lives that threaten to take over our brains.  None of these things are evil, but, what’s wrong is when we long for them.

Let’s not let puppies or butts or any other thing have control of our thoughts and affections. 

Instead, let’s turn our eyes upward and offer our attention and affection to something deeper—Someone holy.  Do you think that’s easier said than done?  Well, ask God to help you and don’t be surprised if He calls your name in the middle of your favorite butt song.  And don’t be surprised if the next time you are doting over a puppy or sipping a latte, you get a nagging feeling that there is Someone more worthy of all your attention.

Because puppies and butts and lattes and books and food and bodies and even loved-ones will let you down and leave you empty, but Jesus fills and fulfills and calls you to something higher.  Let’s let our thoughts be lifted and our minds be filled with truth rather than puppies and butts.

Have a great weekend!  :-)

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Colossians 3:2

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

1 John 2:16

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

Psalm 119:123

My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation
 And for Your righteous word.