A Moment With Pastor Fred

Late last month we had to put our dear cat, Jasmine down. We knew something was wrong – she had lost a lot of weight. The vet diagnosed cancer. The kids and I got Jasmine when David went off to college – 12 years ago. Jasmine was a neat cat. We miss her.

If I wasn’t a believer, I would be a staunch advocate of euthanasia. Jasmine was suffering. But Jasmine was an animal. You and I are image-bearers and that’s the difference. We bear the stamp of the divine. Don’t think of image as physical – though the creation did anticipate the incarnation. God created us in his image – emotional, volitional and intellectual.  We have a mind, soul and will.  We were created to know God – to have fellowship with him. Sorry my fellow pet lovers, Fido or Felecia can never comprehend the Almighty nor have a relationship with him. All life is special but human life is sacred.

Susan and I cried the day Jasmine died. It was hard. We enjoyed her. She was part of the family. Our grief was normal. But then we had to wash our faces, cherish the memories, and move on. Recently in a counseling team meeting someone mentioned inordinate grief. Many years ago, I had to put down our first pet, Bandit, a springer-spangle mix. I wept – I admit it was excessive. After a few days the Holy Spirit impressed upon me I had never cried over a lost soul like that. I gained some perspective that day – and since.

God gives us animals to enjoy as his gifts. All good things come from his hand. The love and joy our pets bring to us is part of common grace.  I’m thankful for the love Jasmine brought to our home and to those who knew her.