Dear Reader:

Haven’t we always wondered about what happens to our beloved pets when they die? Don’t we want reassurance that we will see them again, also, in another life?

I have heard so many people talk about seeing their pets again in a dream after they left or appearing in God Wink situations in daily life…like their special water bowl turning up on the sidewalk and other incidents that seem to reassure us that there is a  connection between the owners and their deceased and beloved pets.

Proverbs 12: 10 says: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals….”

This scriptural quote starts the little Berenstain Bears story – Bless our Pets. In it…the local pastor is having a Blessing of the Animals…of the pets and encourages everyone to bring their pet. Some strange-looking creatures arrive and along with it typical fun chaos until the pastor is able to restore order with one word “Peace.” It is a sweet little story.

Quinn Caldwell searches scripture too to find the answer to the relationship between human and God’s other creatures here on earth. I enjoyed this daily devotional…and I hope you will too.

Animals, Human, and Otherwise

Quinn Caldwell

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.” – Genesis 9:8-17

Did you catch that?  In today’s story, which comes near the end of the whole ark episode, God makes a covenant not just with Noah and his descendants, but with every living animal, everywhere.

How does one make a covenant with an animal?  A covenant is a contract, pure and simple, an agreement between two parties that spells out how they will behave with one another.  “If you give me X, I will give you Y.”  “If I do this, you will do that.”

So what is the birds’ quid to God’s quo?  What is it that God needs, or even wants, enough to make a contract with zebras?  What could dinosaurs or dolphins possibly do that’s enough to pay for God’s offer of a future?

It turns out that what your cat can offer God for her salvation is just what you can offer: exactly nothing.  It turns out that covenants with God aren’t quite the same as covenants with everyone else.  It turns out that with God, it’s not so much a quid pro quo as a quid pro nil.  The promise, the salvation, the future on offer to every living thing is free, and there’s nothing you or your cat can do to earn it, or to lose it.

So why don’t you go find an animal you know, and celebrate?

Prayer (best said while holding or snuggling your favorite animal)

God, I thank you that in you, through you, and with you, the world, the animals, and I have a future.  Amen.

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Here are some of your “blankie” examples of memories past and present….thank you for sharing. (I just got back from Mt. Pleasant….looking after Eloise….and the rains that had been predicted came crashing down on me as I turned into my driveway.) I was pretty wet by the time I raced back in the house…so what was the first thing I did? Put on Pinkie. Here are some of your “blankie” memories you shared.

Three others shared their love of the same pink robe…we all have such great taste…Actually Libby gave me mine before my big surgery. Thanks girl!  Carol Poole and Joan Turner both told me they have my “Pinkie” robe too and adore it. Joan said what makes her robe even more endearing is that she got it as a Christmas gift from John and Mandy the first year they were married.

OMG!  Just sitting here sipping coffee and “hooting” while reading today’s blog.  Why?  Because, I am all comfy and warm snuggled up in my older than old tattered, torn, to-the-floor terry cloth (PINK) robe!!! (Newer “presentable” robes in the closet, but they just don’t cut it with me!  As the song goes, it’s “Terry Pink and Apple Blossom White” or words similar to that.  Have a GREAT day, Becky!  Hugs, Dee Lesko

Sue Anne had a doll she called “Pouty Bear” as a child…and today has a shirt of her husband Randy’s that she wears around the house when she needs an extra hug…memorable “blankies” both. 

isaiah46ministries

“I did not have a blanket or anything like that, but for part of my childhood I slept with the Bible under my pillow. My aunt made me stop when I was about 12, saying it would run me crazy. I felt such peace and could sleep with the Bible under the pillow, and knew nothing could hurt me because God was watching over me. Before she died, she kidded me about taking the Bible away, as she attended my pilot sermon before I was ordained. She said, “Well sleeping with the Bible under your pillow didn’t make you crazy, it made you a preacher.” We laughed about that unexpected call on my life. I still find so much peace in reading the Bible, as it’s signifies God’s love for us and makes me feel special, something I missed as a child constantly changing homes. The Bible was my one constant source of joy in so many new places to get used to living in. Wonderful post. Thank you.”

Beverly Parkinson agreed that it was a “given” even adults need “blankies” or she called it “Loveys.”

…And speaking of “Loveys”…I got to love up on Eloise yesterday….I, also, got my first smile and was feeling so smug when I took a couple of pictures of Walsh holding her and that little girl turned on her charm…that sweet little smile that will get her anything from her daddy. It must be instinct between daughters and daddies.

(* I asked Eloise why it took her so long to figure out I was a  crazy grandmother… and a funny Boo…everyone else knows it.) I had been sticking my tongue out at her and she was trying to imitate me.

So until tomorrow…“I like the idea of being warm and secure. That’s what home should be. That you have a sense of warmth, security, love, and you love the things around you and surround yourself with beauty.” Andre Leon Talley

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

A “Happy Beauty” to make eating at my table even more enjoyable.

• We heard good news from Patty Knight concerning her daughter Kristen’s surgery yesterday….I am sure it was all your prayers…thanks so much blog readers!
• “Thank you, sweet Becky for remembering Kristen. She is doing very well! God is so good and we appreciate your precious prayers.”