How Puppies Are Ruining My Productivity (And Strengthening My Faith)

I have a confession to make. As a full-time carpet cleaner, I’m supposed to be efficient, professional, and focused on getting the job done. But there’s one thing that consistently derails my productivity: puppies.

It happens more often than I’d like to admit. I pull up to a customer’s house, ready to get to work, and the door swings open—and there it is. A wiggly, tail-wagging ball of fluff. Suddenly, I forget why I’m even there. The next thing I know, I’ve spent 15 minutes on the floor, scratching ears, dodging puppy kisses, and talking in that ridiculous voice we all use when we see a cute dog. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, and the carpets aren’t getting any cleaner.

But here’s the thing—I wouldn’t change it.

One of the best parts of what I do is the relationships I’ve built over time. Many of my customers aren’t just people I see once and never again. Some I visit multiple times a year—every season, every few months—whether it’s for carpets, upholstery, or another service. Over time, they’ve gone from customers to friends. They know my name, my kids’ names, and even what’s going on in my life. And those conversations? They go beyond just business.

We talk about family, struggles, life, and sometimes, faith. And here’s the cool part—those moments aren’t scheduled. They just happen.

It reminds me of a story in the Bible—one of those moments where someone thought they were headed for one thing, but God had a different plan.

In Acts 3, Peter and John were on their way to the temple when they came across a lame beggar at the gate called Beautiful. Now, this wasn’t on their agenda. They were heading to pray. But the man asked for money, and instead of just walking past, Peter stopped. He told the man, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" (Acts 3:6, ESV).

That one interruption changed the man’s life. He didn’t just get money for the day—he got healing. And Peter and John? They were just on their way to the temple, doing their normal routine. But God had something bigger in mind.

I think about that story a lot when my "work schedule" gets thrown off—whether it’s because of a conversation with a customer, an unexpected prayer request, or yes, even a puppy break. I could look at those moments as distractions, or I could see them as divine appointments.

God uses the little things—unexpected conversations, shared struggles, and even those seemingly random moments—to open doors for deeper relationships and faith-filled conversations. Sometimes, it’s as simple as listening. Other times, it’s offering a word of encouragement. But either way, it’s about being present and willing to let God work in the interruptions.

So yeah, maybe I spend too much time playing with puppies. But if that time leads to a conversation about faith, family, or the goodness of God—was it really wasted?

Maybe the real lesson here is that we need to be open to how God works, even in the small, unplanned moments. You never know when a puppy (or any other “distraction”) might be part of His bigger plan.