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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
The Best Pal In The World
September 20, 2007
I ran down the street like a madman chasing a car I could not hope to
catch. As it sped away I cursed it and cried out in agony as I thought
about what I had just witnessed. My heart was pounding and the tears
were flowing freely as I fell to my knees in utter disbelief. Behind me lay
the bloody mass of what had been my best friend. Ten year old boys
shouldn't have to deal with death, but when my dog died that day, I vowed
that I would never love again.
Time does strange things to us. Twenty nine years later our house was in
upheaval. Our hamster died and I went to the Pet Store with the girls to
get a new one. That is where it happened. The Animal Rescue League had
set up shop outside the store. Even though I vowed to never own another
dog, my girls saw Praise that day and their pleas to bring him home
touched my heart.
Although they promised to feed and care for him, you know how that
goes, the bulk of his care fell upon me. It became my job to walk him,
feed him, take him to the Vet, and clean up after him. As a result, over the
next ten years Praise and I became buddies. We'd play ball, wrestle on the
living room floor, go for rides in the car and watch television together.
This week we took a trip I never wanted to take. I knew something was
very wrong. Praise woke up one morning and he could hardly walk. He
was dragging one leg as though he'd had a stroke. I took him to the animal
doctor and my worst fears were confirmed. My twelve and a half year old
friend was coming to the end of the line. I fought to hold back the tears
and immediately remembered the vow of that ten year old boy. How could
I have let this happen?
That night I sat in the living room with Praise rubbing his head and I
thought about the good and bad times we had together. I know it sounds
silly to some of you. After all he is only a dog. But he is my dog, my pal. I
never thought it was silly when people asked me to pray for their pets. Our
dogs and cats become part of the family. The Bible doesn't say it, but there
is no doubt in my mind that God had a special place in mind for these little
friends. They were given the gift of loyalty.
As I spent time with Praise yesterday, I thought about my ancient vow and
decided that I was wrong. The truth is that if I had never taken Praise in, I
would have been robbed of a blessing. Alfred Lord Tennyson said, "'Tis
better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." The truth is
that if we live long enough, we will all lose someone we love very much. It
will hurt a lot. When that pain comes there are two paths to chose. One is
to vow never to love again. The better path is to offer thanks to God for
the gift of love and friendship you have received and to cherish the
memories and let them brighten your days.
Praise seems a little better today after taking some medicine. I may get a
reprieve. But some day soon he will be gone and I will not regret loving
him. He has been my blessing and I will thank God for him.
God bless. See you in church. Cal.
September 20, 2007
I ran down the street like a madman chasing a car I could not hope to
catch. As it sped away I cursed it and cried out in agony as I thought
about what I had just witnessed. My heart was pounding and the tears
were flowing freely as I fell to my knees in utter disbelief. Behind me lay
the bloody mass of what had been my best friend. Ten year old boys
shouldn't have to deal with death, but when my dog died that day, I vowed
that I would never love again.
Time does strange things to us. Twenty nine years later our house was in
upheaval. Our hamster died and I went to the Pet Store with the girls to
get a new one. That is where it happened. The Animal Rescue League had
set up shop outside the store. Even though I vowed to never own another
dog, my girls saw Praise that day and their pleas to bring him home
touched my heart.
Although they promised to feed and care for him, you know how that
goes, the bulk of his care fell upon me. It became my job to walk him,
feed him, take him to the Vet, and clean up after him. As a result, over the
next ten years Praise and I became buddies. We'd play ball, wrestle on the
living room floor, go for rides in the car and watch television together.
This week we took a trip I never wanted to take. I knew something was
very wrong. Praise woke up one morning and he could hardly walk. He
was dragging one leg as though he'd had a stroke. I took him to the animal
doctor and my worst fears were confirmed. My twelve and a half year old
friend was coming to the end of the line. I fought to hold back the tears
and immediately remembered the vow of that ten year old boy. How could
I have let this happen?
That night I sat in the living room with Praise rubbing his head and I
thought about the good and bad times we had together. I know it sounds
silly to some of you. After all he is only a dog. But he is my dog, my pal. I
never thought it was silly when people asked me to pray for their pets. Our
dogs and cats become part of the family. The Bible doesn't say it, but there
is no doubt in my mind that God had a special place in mind for these little
friends. They were given the gift of loyalty.
As I spent time with Praise yesterday, I thought about my ancient vow and
decided that I was wrong. The truth is that if I had never taken Praise in, I
would have been robbed of a blessing. Alfred Lord Tennyson said, "'Tis
better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." The truth is
that if we live long enough, we will all lose someone we love very much. It
will hurt a lot. When that pain comes there are two paths to chose. One is
to vow never to love again. The better path is to offer thanks to God for
the gift of love and friendship you have received and to cherish the
memories and let them brighten your days.
Praise seems a little better today after taking some medicine. I may get a
reprieve. But some day soon he will be gone and I will not regret loving
him. He has been my blessing and I will thank God for him.
God bless. See you in church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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