Grief
Saturday started as a status quo type of day. We woke up to the hope filled sound of the coffee maker. And, of course, followed by the sound of our two little dogs needing to go outside. So, I stumbled down the stairs in my pre-coffee morning fog. I proceeded to let the dogs out, and prepare the coffee for my wife and I.
At the same time my wife and little girl were waking up from their camp out experience in the living room. They found their normal morning spots on the couch as I let the dogs in and made my way to mine with coffee now firmly in hand. As was customary, our little dogs found their spots, as well. One curled up with me and the other with my wife and little girl.
While this day started out as any other Saturday morning, it did have a little something extra in the air. You see, it was Christmas Eve. There was hope and expectation everywhere. It was that time of year we set aside to honor the savior of the world laying a side his rightful place in heaven to give himself to humanity in the form of a baby. While we were enjoying our Saturday morning we could not help but be filled with the excitement of the upcoming celebrations and gift giving. We had no idea what the day had in store for us.
At first, the day seemed to be progressing along as usual. We were now awake. We had our coffee, and were up and moving. My wife and little girl were prepping the downstairs for the upcoming festivities while I was taking care of some last minute details upstairs before my day of football began. When all of a sudden I heard my wife yell up the stairs “do you have both dogs”. The first thought that entered my mind was the neighbor’s dog. Our neighbors have a husky that has been aggressive toward other animals ever since we moved in two years ago. I immediately began surveying my house in search of our two little dogs. I spotted Sugar; the youngest, quickly, but could not find the other one; Bentley. Then, our fears were realized as my wife screamed “Our neighbor’s dog just pulled Bentley into their yard”.
We both secured our little girl; and Sugar. Then we quickly made our way to our neighbor’s house. By this time, I was in protective mode and very focused. My wife was distraught as she knocked on their door, I however, looking back against my better judgement, busted through their house and went straight to the backyard. At this time, I saw a horrifying scene where their dog was having his way with Bentley. I knew I had to do something! So, I picked up a chair and got their dog off of Bentley. As I stooped down to survey the damage I could see in his eyes that he was no longer there. However, there did seem to be some slight breathing. So I scooped him up, got the information of the closest emergency care vet from my wife, and headed off. Unfortunately, he officially pasted away at the Vet’s office.
Now; I am one who has experienced my fair share of pain in life. So, as this pain started to sink in I did what I have learned in the past; I turned to God. To some this may sound over religious, but I have learned God is the answer to all our problems, and he cares about every area of our life. That is part of the relationship we have with God. It is not a casual acquaintance type of relationship. It is the most intimate, caring relationship that He offers. I have found out, just as in times past, God is right here with us now to comfort us and give direction.
My first question was the typical one of “what happens to our animals when they die?” To this question, I do not see a definite answer in scripture. There are scriptures that can support either view point. However, I believe the Bible stops short of addressing this topic head on. Why is this you might say? Well, I don’t think the lack of attention given to the topic in scripture is a sign of the lack of importance to God. There are several topics that are not directly addressed in scripture, such as the death of the unborn child, that I believe are very important to God. As we search for these answers we must remember the purpose of the Bible is not to reveal everything about God to us. There is nothing that could contain all there is to know about God. No, the purpose of the Bible is to reveal the redemptive plan of God for humanity. We are then told to trust God for the rest.
This brings me to my next point. Through studying the scripture, it is clear God has a redemptive plan not just for man but for all of creation. This plan involves restoring what sin has taken away. Even a basic read through scriptures shows us that humans are at the top of importance with God. We are made in his image. However, if you pay attention, you will find the animal kingdom is a close second. God does care about animals. Adam was told to name the animals not the rest of creation, Jesus often talked about God taking care of the animals, and we see them referred to in the new heaven and new earth.
I also believe we highly underestimate the authority we have as believers to take dominion. I don’t mean dominion as to power as much as I do responsibility. I believe God has given us dominion to operate as his representatives in this world. This dominion authority has many implications. One of which is the ability to set apart. I believe God does care about our relationships with his creation because our relationships come out of our relationship with him. When we have a relationship with God, and from that, select part of his creation to enjoy that love; God acknowledges it. I believe man has dominion over the animal Kingdom, and as Romans 8 explains, when we except the redemptive work of Christ on the cross and become who we are supposed to be in the Kingdom of God we have the authority and responsibility to exercise that dominion.
The fact is, we do not know the full purpose of all of creation. Animals are used for several purposes in the Bible, and certain ones are being used every day for a wide variety of purposes today. We also see animals present in Heaven, and the New Earth. If there are animals in the afterlife it is a reasonable conclusion, based on the nature of God, that the animals we as believers chose to have such close relationships with could be there, as well. Some would immediately object to this based on the animal’s inability to choose Christ. I would point out the unborn child, or for that matter the born child that cannot yet tell right from wrong. A study of Romans 8 tells us that if our pets are in the afterlife it is because we, as humans, have become who we are supposed to be in Christ. They would be there based on our position as children of the creator, and the dominion He has given us over creation.
After turning to God for comfort and truth in times of trouble, I then ask God to reveal to me an eternal truth from the pain. I believe any pain that God allows in the believer’s life has a purpose. If there is no purpose, the pain is not from God and must go. Many Christians go through things and miss God because they are so focused on the pain rather than the purpose.
As I began to seek God for the purpose, he started showing me something. The first thing he showed me was the pain he felt as a father watching his son be beaten and killed on the cross. As we watched helplessly for a moment our beloved dog was mistreated. I then intervened to stop the pain. God watched as his son was not only mistreated, but did so willing. The difference is God never intervened. Why? Not because he did not love His son, but rather because he did love his son, looked past the pain to see the purpose.
Days after, Nancy and I still struggle with the images we saw that day, and the pain associated with those images. With this point God took me to the Book of Hebrews where the writer says in chapter 6 that when we openly sin it is like crucifying Christ all over again. When we, as believers, choose to continue in sin it is like opening that wound for God all over. Yes, the blood covers us, but that is because when we sin God sees the shed blood of his Son. This is great news for us, but have you ever thought how God feels every time we use our freedom in Christ to do something we know we should not be doing?
The last thing God revealed to me about our situation is the pain of death. Psalms 104 talks about death as God removing his presence. If you have ever experience the death of a loved one you know there is not only sorrow, but there is real pain involved. God showed me that just as the love we experience here on earth with each other is a glimpse into heaven, the pain we experience from death is a glimpse into hell. Hell is descripted many different ways in the Bible, but the best one may be the separation of us from God’s presences. Everything we know as good exist because of the presence of God. Once that is removed you are left with Hell.
The Bible speaks of at least three major reasons for suffering in Romans 5, Hebrews 12, and 2 Corinthians 1. These reasons are first to bring us closer to God, second keep us focused on eternity, third so we can comfort others. I hate pain. However, I have learned to use it when it arrives. It is a wasted life spent trying to avoid pain at every turn. From the pain of this horrible event in our lives we have come closer to God, focused more on eternity, and I hope this writing has helps some with the pain they have felt in similar situations.
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