Lipstick on a Pig

Pig Sitting is Work

Recently I had the opportunity to babysit a friend’s pet pig, Beyoncé. She does this little twerk thing with her rear, hence the name. And oh my gosh, there’s not much more fun than keeping a twerking house pig for a week. We laughed all day, every day. 

That said, pigs have earned a bad name. When I say earned, I mean it. We’ve all heard that pigs are actually clean animals. They have great toilet habits. But food and drink? Forget it. They eat and drink like pigs. My poor house. It needs a deep cleaning. And everything which isn’t nailed down has been uprooted and moved. Furniture, carpet, me. So as fun as Beyoncé is, pig sitting is work. Stressful. 

Y’all probably know that I’m in treatment for cancer. I thought I could handle pig sitting. After all, pets bring us joy!! They truly do. But like everything else in life, that joy is balanced with work and stress. Most people can handle the balance. Right now? I can’t. So I’m finding joy in the silly moments with Beyoncé, and working on deep breathing in the off moments.

Are People and Pigs Alike?

Interacting with Beyoncé, I’m struck by the similarities between us. No, I can’t twerk. Yes, my toilet habits are meticulous (you’re welcome). More than that, I’m slovenly and destructive. And whatever you do, don’t get between me and food. 

And then there’s joy. Beyoncé, when kept inside, is moderately content, but inactive. Pigs are livestock. They don’t belong indoors, including pet -sized pigs. When Beyonce is where she belongs she’s truly joyful. I put her in the fenced front yard and watch her chubby self run on her stubby pig legs. Her tail wags the entire time she’s outside. She grazes on fresh, green grass. It’s a lovely thing to watch. She’s truly joy- filled when she’s where she belongs. 

What is My Joy-Filled Environment?

Now I’m asking myself questions. Do I truly have joy when I choose the wrong environment? The wrong people for me? What does the right environment for me look like? Obviously our joy isn’t all about the environment. But I think it makes a difference. Knowing myself, knowing where I belong, that makes a difference. 

I’m also not saying that we can’t be in stressful environments. Sometimes it’s necessary. Often it’s temporary. We can choose the environments which bring us joy as often as possible. 

Scripture says that the fruit of the Spirit is Joy. Maybe my environment isn’t all physical. My spiritual environment means I need to rest in Jesus. Trust the Holy Spirit to be my environment… especially while I battle cancer. I could be afraid. I could be angry at God. I could become a recluse. But those spiritual and emotional environments would be so harmful, and aren’t conducive to joy. So I choose to be wrapped in Jesus. Especially now. 

Lipstick on a Pig

And when I’m in the wrong environment? When I choose the wrong (for me) people to associate with? When I choose fear over joy and Jesus? When I choose anger over peace? That’s like lipstick on a pig. Unnatural, unattractive: they don’t look good on me, the anger and fear. That’s not where I belong or who I am. I choose, rather, to wear a crown of beauty instead of the ashes of mourning, and a garment of praise rather than a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:3) 

Question Time

Who are you really? Where do you belong? What’s your environment for true joy? I suspect it’s different for most people. For instance, I’m content when I’m away from towns, when I’m in the field with my animals, or when I’m working on crafts. Those things would drive some people crazy. Where do you most easily find joy? And is it a place, people, or a state of mind?

Until I write again …

Flea