A mutt doesn’t know it’s a mutt
A Mutt doesn’t know it’s a Mutt.
As I walked today, something astonishing happened. This can only be God! I am not brilliant enough to figure this out on my own, much less compile such an impressive blog that will blow your mind. Only God can do that.
As I was walking this afternoon on a melodic fall day, where leaves wafted down twirling like dancers in the air, a most unusual aspect of revelation occurred. First, I passed by a group of young adults who were bearing behaviors I am familiar with from my past work in mental health, disabling them from a normal life, where it appeared, they lived in a boarding home, or at the least were in an adult daycare. I have worked in the past in adult daycare for the seriously mentally ill, which at times included the diagnosis of severe mental retardation.
As I viewed their elated enjoyment of the beautiful day, at a historic district park, I relished with them from a distance, in the laughter and smiles, as they too saw the same dancing leaves falling in the wind.
Sun out, beautiful weather, each of us somehow connected on a level of gratitude, where the fondness of my walk was all the more poetic.
What would Wordsworth or Keats write in a moment of artistic inspiration on a day like this? Just a thought, what a neat name as Words-worth; he knew what words were worth.
Back to my day. I did my usual afternoon walk, lapping around the three parks in our historic district, greeting others with smiles and hellos. Then upon my second lap, God said, “Robin, a mutt doesn’t know it’s a mutt.” My response was “heh” ... which is like “huh,” but with an enthusiastic agreement, knowing that there would be an unfolding of revelation.
God then proceeded to tell me that people see what they want to see, which I agreed, knowing this truth He revealed to me 15 years ago. He went further to explain that a mutt doesn’t know that it has no pedigree, and that although others might look at it as though its value is less, it has no clue what others see and don’t see. The mutt doesn’t see itself different than any other dog. A mixed canine doesn’t look at a pedigree dog, worth ten thousand dollars and say, “that dog is better than me.”
I was blown away at the revelation and was like, “Wow God, you are right!”
Savoring the thought like a morsel of fine steak, I continued to ponder on it.
Coming back on the leg of my last lap, an older couple in front of me stepped aside and went another direction, when it saw the group of mentally challenged young adults loading onto a bus. I however, felt quite in my element, loving the joy and gentleness displayed on their faces, which made me feel like I was 22 again and at my old job.
With a huge smile on my face, I walked right up to them as they lined up to get on the bus, and greeted them with a smile, “It’s a beautiful day.” They smiled back, along with the adult case worker who aided them, “Yes a beautiful day.”
All of us beamed, sharing the gratitude we had towards God for such a day.
I came home, preparing for work and God said, “Robin write a note, ‘A Mutt doesn’t know it’s a Mutt.’”
Then I looked to see what “mutt” means and was blown away!
Mutt means, a dog, especially a mongrel that is not of a pedigree. However, the word mutt came from “muttonhead, which means a dull or stupid person.” This is sad, because many look at disabled people and think they are stupid, and they absolutely are not. I know this well having worked with them in my profession of social work. They have value and are smarter than people think.
What blew me away is that God said, this is how people have looked at you, as though you are a mutt. However, a mutt doesn’t know it’s a mutt!
God said “Robin it is all in the eye of the beholder”
Those that see me as less than, don’t see as God does, and only see me as a mutt. However, I don’t know that because GOD sees me as beautiful!
God went on, to show me how other people might feel like that mutt dog, except knowing that others see it as less than and of no pedigree. That is what shame on the self-image does; it makes you feel like a mutt. However, when you do not care what others think about, you don’t own their labels, no different as someone who has mental challenges. Those beautiful young adults, who many would write off, simply delighted in the day as I did, laughing, smiling, and running around at the park. They clapped their hands and cheered for each other in their enjoyment and it was pure BEAUTY! IT WAS A DEGREE OF LOVE UNTOUCHED by those who were not blessed to observe it.
12 Even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You. 13 For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139:12-17 AMPC
10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 AMPC
For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 AMPC
This is the question for you? Do you view yourself as a mutt? If you do, know that God doesn’t see you that way and moreover, if a mutt doesn’t know it’s a mutt why should we feel any different.
God bless!
Robin Kirby-Gatto