INSPIRASUNS

I’ve shared here over the last few months how I’ve taken up walking one of our neighbor’s pups during the day. Toby is a handsome king charles spaniel and is just the sweetest boy. Well, he and his human Joe left for the season earlier this week. I missed saying goodbye to him as we were en route back from our granddaughter’s graduation. I was bummed but I know I’ll see him again in a few months.

Over the past few days several friends have been posting about their dogs, their fur babies as we all affectionately call them. Several of my friends have been asking for prayers for these sweet family members, for some challenges they are facing. One such puppy is going in for some major surgery today. Another friend is asking for prayers for their pup who is undergoing tests to determine the cause of issues he is having. Just a lot happening around our animals lately.

As I thought about these friends and the love they have for their fur babies, it made me think of St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals. I did do a little research about St. Francis, which in itself is quite fascinating. He came from a very wealthy family and ultimately gave up everything to live a life of poverty sharing God’s word and love with the poor.

This morning I wanted to just share a prayer for those friends who are going through some uncertain and anxious times with their pups. We all know that our animals are members of our families, they are loved and cared for and we grieve when they are ill or are in pain. I thought maybe sharing the prayer of St. Francis, the Patron Saint of Animals, a prayer for peace, might provide some comfort.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, 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.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Thinking of you my friends who are feeling anxious and worried about your fur babies. God is with you today, know that you are not alone and that He holds them close as he does you.