Like A Dog In Heat… (Uh Oh!)

Think back to 1989 for a second… you were probably rocking a high top fade or an asymmetrical haircut … New Edition topped the charts and controversy surrounded west coast rappers 2 Live Crew. Yes, it was 1989 and songs from their album “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” were all over MTV and radio airwaves… “I’m like a dog in heat, a freak without warning. I have an appetite for love, cause me so…” Okay, the song was a HOT MESS, but let me tell you about my recent reflection on that line in particular… “I’m like a dog in heat, a freak without warning. I have an appetitie for love, cause me so…”

Before I go on, please note that I am not inferring that women are b*tches or that men are dogs. Follow me, good people, follow me…

Dogs in Heat…

Wikipedia says that female dogs have a twice-yearly fertile period or “season,” during which their bodies prepare for pregnancy. At the peak of this season, the dog comes "into heat" -- she's mentally and physically receptive to copulation.

Okay… I am NOT a pet person. As a matter of fact, I’m a little afraid of dogs. But, in my mind’s eye, a female dog in heat is determined to get a man (male dog) by any means necessary! I can see her running around the park just-a-lookin’! And, when she sees a man (any man), her tail gets to waggin’… her tongue is hangin’ out of her mouth… her ears are at attention… she’s barking like a mad woman… you get the picture. Said dog is mentally and physically ready for the next “season” of her life.

Uh oh, ladies… might we REALLY behave like dogs in heat? We reach a certain “season” of life and male-companionship moves up on the list of priorities. We are mentally ready for a serious relationship; physically, our clocks are ticking. There is no doubt in our minds that we are at (or quickly approaching) the season’s PEAK. So… We see a nice-looking guy at church… in the mall… in a photograph… and our tails IMMEDIATLEY get to waggin’! We bark, “Girl, who is he?!?! Is he single?” Our ears are alert, awaiting the answers….and, if he’s not the one, we continue running around the park, just-a-lookin’ until the next fella catches our eye. Dogs in heat??? Say it ain’t so!!! LOL!

Appetite for Love…

Since this is G-rated blog, I’ll skip over “freak without warning” and go straight to 2 Live Crew’s next reference – “I have an appetitie for love, cause me so…” Now, I’m sure you all can remember how the line ends (even if you are ashamed to admit it). But, forgetting about the actual lyrics for a second and, instead, thinking about my homeboys (a few single men who are playing the field in search of a drama-free good time), my girlfriends (beautiful, brilliant women who are out and about in search of a few good men who might lead them to one true love) and myself (I can actually fit either of the previous descriptions depending upon the day of the week. LOL)… there are countless adjectives that could complete that line. For example…

I have an appetitie for love, cause me so…

... bored (so, let me meet a few new people. Gotta keep the squad fresh!)
... lonely (it’s cold outside… would be nice to have somebody to keep me warm)
... tired (of the games or the work that comes with sustaining a healthy relationship)
... desperate (I’m d-near thirty! I GOTTA find a man ASAP!)
... frustrated (by failed relationships… the lack of quality options)

As I sit here typing and thinking, I realize that I can relate to all of those words (again, depending on the day), But, if you only knodded your head at “bored,” you’re like my some of my homeboys who are playing the field, not looking for anything too serious or too committed… and the rest of this post isn’t for you (come back next week). However, those of you who said “mmmm mmm” when you read the words “lonely,” “tired,” “desperate,” or “frustrated” -- KEEP READING, BOO! You might find some encouragement in the next line or two! :-)

Lonely… Tired… Desperate… Frustrated…

Those words are definitely difficult to swallow. I mean, who wants to think about LOVE and admit that they’re lonely… tired… desperate… or frustrated? Not me! However, as a beautiful, brilliant, single woman (very similar to the girlfriends I described earlier) who has dated countless men and still finds herself awaiting Mr. Right… I can admit that there are moments/days during this season of life when I have to remind myself that loneliness is impossible (I’m never alone because I always have a friend in Jesus! And, at the beginning and end of everyday, my heart belongs to Him)…. I can’t get tired (because perserverance must finish its work before I can be complete)… desperate does NOT look good on me (because I am a child of the Most High God. Royalty. Shoot, I have an intimate relationship with the KING OF KINGS.)…. And, frustration is not an option (because I remind myself of His promise to do far above anything I can ask or think in His perfect time).

Crave Love…

So, let’s leave the “in heat” thing to those barking little ladies with four legs and wagging tails! We crave love because we are obedient (delighting ourselves in Him… seeking Him first)… because we are prayerful (remembering that the prayers of the righteous render much)… because we are patient (and we know all about the blessing that lies in "waiting") And, because we are trusting God to know what’s best – and who’s best – for us!

Hey! What started off as an “uh oh” for me just turned into an “ah ha”!! Go figure!! :-)

Be patient. Be blessed. Be loved. :-)