Three weeks ago, we lost our “grandpuppy,” an adorable, “rescued” Pomeranian. Our broken-hearted daughter had to have Jiggy euthanized because of a painful, incurable condition. After some tears, I lay awake that night, mulling over nature’s food chain and all the sad succession of death in animals. I finally told the Lord I’d trust Him without the answers to my questions and went to sleep.
The next morning I had my Quiet Time as usual. I’d been reading in Colossians, but happened to open to the fourth chapter of Jonah. Jonah was uptight with God (as admittedly I was) and complained about a vine that God had provided and then removed. The Lord pointed out that Jonah was upset about a vine he had not created. So, the Lord asked, shouldn’t He care about the vast number of people in Nineveh He had created? (That’s why He’d sent Jonah to them with a life-saving message.)
The application to my life was obvious. Jiggy’s death was a sorrowful event (far more than a vine’s), and not to be discounted for a minute. But I mustn’t forget that Christians have the life-saving message for people, who also face death. God—through Jesus—reached down to rescue mankind and give us a never-ending relationship with Himself. Our loving Heavenly Father sees and cares about all that happens to us. He answers prayers to provide for our needs. He has a new heaven and a new earth (with lions and wolves living peacefully with lambs) in store for everyone who accepts His saving gift. I needed to be reminded of the Big Picture.
(And if it’s possible and acceptable when the time comes, I’ll ask our Heavenly Father, who isn’t limited by our time dimension, to transport a healed Jiggy—and some other beloved pets—to that splendid new earth. Just a thought. Any comments?)
Sad to hear the news but a good lessen learned from your prayer without any answers in Christ. People wonder how to have faith in God in all circumstances especially in an unexpected condition. Some Christians are far away from the Lord because they could not get the answers from the Lord. I believe that we could not get whole answers for all questions in the real world, but no doubt God is still with us all the time in all circumstance because HE is in control.
In the book of Revelation, whoever has their name written in the book of life will be in the new Jerusalem once the Lord comes again. Are the names of living creatures in the book of life? Will the living creatures be in the new heaven and the new earth??
Hi Amber. Thanks so much for your comment. I’m no expert on prophecies about the future, but Isaiah 65:17-25 does talk about peaceful animals inhabiting a future period of the new heavens and earth.
Thank you, Ann, for “Jiggy and Jonah.” It certainly made me think of the fairly recent loss of our little Isobel, who was actually Katie’s puppy; but she was very special to me, also (she left her pawprints all over my heart!). I did shed tears over her death, many, many times. I knew that I was not only crying for the loss of Izzy; but also, for the deep, deep grief of my daughter who was almost inconsolable. It is far too easy, when tragedy strikes, to wonder, “why me?” I have, on occasion, also wondered, “Why didn’t you divinely intervene, God?” In the last 4 years, God has taught me that He rarely answers the “why” questions – maybe because these times are a golden opportunity to strengthen our faith and our dependency on Him. Our pets are an important part of our lives; but they are, first and foremost, God’s creation and, therefore, His “call.” Like you said, we, as believers, must never lose sight of the fact that there are people who need to hear about our God and His Son, who transcends life and death; and we need to tell them. I’m saddened to say that I have not shed as many tears for an unbeliever as I have for little Isobel. What a pitiful witness I am!
I really appreciate your sharing your thoughts and insight!