INSPIRASUNS

Yesterday we took some time to participate in the blessing of the pets service at our church. Even though we don’t ourselves have pets, we are kind of surrogate parents to a few of our neighbors fur babies, so we invited them to join us.

These services are always fun, just seeing the variety of pets as they arrive. Yesterday the attendance was made of up mainly dogs, and one lone Siamese cat names Snickers. The dogs were all shapes, sizes, and breeds, big, small, toy, puppy, senior, long hair, and short.

We all found places with lawn chairs and parents tried to calm their pooches. As the service began it was interesting to see them settle down, almost like they knew something was happening. Then as our clergy made their way to each pet and gave them a personal blessing, they calmed even more. You could see Father at work.

I don’t know that there is a major point to today’s little blog, other than yesterday was a break. A break from the last few weeks, and time for our parish to be together in a different light. It was a time filled with love and humor and God’s beautiful creatures. So this morning as you drink your coffee, if you have a pet, I encourage you to give them a hug. God loves them as much as he loves us 🙂

The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.