In the understanding of the Christian faith, human beings are unique in being made “in the image of God”. Such is not ascribed to any other element of God's creation. Among other things, this at least means that we are infused with the quality of eternity. A human does not cease to exist at the time of death; his spirit moves on to a higher realm.

In considering the fate of animals, some will quote the passages from the Old Testament which refer to an idyllic time when God's rule is complete, when “the lion will lie down with the lamb...”. In my opinion, this is not meant to give details of the afterlife, but to describe it as a time of peace and tranquility. 

It seems out of character, to me, when I hear a fellow-Christian insist that beloved pets just die, and that's it. And the case is so often made with so little feeling; a few scripture quotations and a smug blink of the eye. I wonder, how can you ascribe any specific pet (or, more importantly, any specific person) to an eternity that excludes God's love?

Here is my case for belief that beloved pets will be in heaven. It is not a scriptural argument. It is based upon my understanding of the nature of a loving God. I am convinced that God loves His children with a greater depth and intensity than we can fully comprehend. I think, in heaven, we will all be amazed at the extent of God's love from the very beginning. And, the afterlife experience prepared for us will be an expression of His complete love for us. We will find that the symbolic language of the Bible has barely done it justice. Heaven will be the complete and everlasting experience of pure love.

All are made by God to be unique, in life experience as well as personality. For some, that uniqueness has involved a deep connection with a beloved pet. So, for that person, surely heaven would include fellowship with such a dear friend. When my friends get to heaven, Misty will be there, all frisky and bouncing and ready for the reunion. I believe God will arrange it, because love is what He knows best.  With a big smile, I believe Jesus will enjoy watching that reunion.

Blackie will be there.  He and I explored ridges and woods as a kid.  I wonder if he will still grin, like that silly dog did forty years ago?

And Bessie will be there, and this time frisky- not addled by old age and disease.  Three weeks ago my big old brother cried like a baby when she passed away.  It seems to me, if someone "made in God's image" can love a hound dog like that, then God can too.

“And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Even the love of a pet!

It was time to go out to eat, and I quickly volunteered to drive.  I know the driving habits of my folks, and so I always volunteer to drive.  Nothing against them; I just want to live.

A couple of years ago, Mom and her then-husband Len decided to take a drive.  One thing lead to another, and the adventuresome couple ended up out on the mountain on a barren stretch of road, far from home.  It was the middle of the night as a police officer pulled them over.  Or, maybe they were steaming up the windows beneath a shade tree- I wouldn't put it past them.  Len related the rest of the story to me.  The officer gave the confused driver directions how to get home.  He then said something like, "You know, elderly folks like yourselves really shouldn't be out this late at night."  My mom, who had been quietly listening up until this point, quickly quipped, "You know, a young man like yourself really should kiss my a--."  Len told me the officer's face turned beet-red.  He promptly walked back to his car and drove away.

I was thinking about this as we pulled into the local store to get some batteries.  John insisted upon buying the batteries, but he couldn't seem to open his wallet.  Finally he flung the wallet at me, and said, "Get some money out for the batteries."  I opened the billfold to find he must have had at least a dozen hundred dollar bills.  It is scary to think he walks around with such a load of cash.  I thought about giving some advice, but stopped before the words came out.  I'm pretty sure John likel y carries something else to give him confidence in deterring would-be thieves.  My mom likes to hide money all around the house, and she probably has a cache in her purse similar to that of her husband.  I thought about the measly little $20 bill in my wallet.

We went to the restaurant.  John paid for the meal, and I did not protest.  The meal was pretty good, even with the occasional belch from my new father-in-law.  My mom's familiar habit is to gather all the extra sugar packs, and put them into her purse.  She went a little extra this time.  She grabbed a porkchop, wrapped it in a napkin, and put it in her purse.  I was hoping no one was watching.  Today I told a couple of friends about mom's peculiar habits, and it seems their moms do similar things.  Maybe I should start taking extra food home in my pockets.

When it was time for me to go, John presented me with a gift.  It was a big, heavy, cement fire hydrant.  The thing must have weighed fifty pounds.  I was thinking, "What do I do with something like that?"  But I graciously accepted it, and dragged it out to my car.  I'd rather have it than one of his prized commodes, described in the previous post.  It now sits in my den, since I cannot bring myself to throw it away.  I'll post a picture, so you can admire this work of art.  I will probably figure out a way to make it into a lamp or coffee table.

So, God bless John and Virginia, parents of a proud (and even a little jealous) PastorDave.  I'm hoping to one day be young like them.

It is amazing some of the things for which people are willing to pay money.  Cow manure is an example.  They shovel it up, put it in a bag, and then folks like myself come along and pay good money.  It is gross.  It stinks.  And it is valuable, because it makes things grow.  It is the best thing you can put on plants and grass to make them reach proper maturity.

Trials of life are like cow manure.  They stink.  But they have a usefulness, because they can bring about growth and maturity in our lives.  I do not wish for anyone to be dumped upon; but, it is going to happen.  Guaranteed.  That's life.  Actually,  it is a regular part of living. 

A key for me is to not get lost in the seeming unfairness of the situation.  Instead, I am to trust God.  He loves me, and He is wise.  I tenaciously, and sometimes it seems unreasonably, believe that God will work within the matter for good.  And the details, of course, are up to Him.

That's when growth and maturity take place.

James 1:2-4