The righteous person cares for the needs of their animals, but the acts of the wicked are cruel.
-Proverbs, 12:10
I don’t know who said it first, but there’s an old cliche about not trusting people who don’t love animals.
I won’t go so far to say that if you don’t own a dog then I don’t trust you, I think that’s unfair. We can’t all have dogs. Some of us have dogs or cats and lose them or just can’t fit them into our lives right now. But when I see you interact with animals, I admit it: I’m watching. I’m learning things about you.
Kids learn about the world by interacting with animals, when they’re blessed to be able to do so.
This week, at Pilgrim Church, the petting zoo returns to celebrate Rally Sunday with us. Thanks to Amy Sibley for setting it up and to anyone who gets to interact with these beautiful farm animals.
Animals have been an important part of the Christian story (and the central stories of most major religions) since people started passing those stories along. The Old and the New Testament are full of experiences with and around animals.
And lest we forget, not that we would: Jesus was born in a manger, surrounded by stable animals.
He was of the Earth as as much as he was of God. We were made to share our lives with animals and it’s great to have them around at such a special time in our church year.
I look forward to seeing you at worship at 10 AM and at the petting zoo after the service is over!