QUESTION OF THE DAY #16: What is your favorite animal?

What is your favorite animal?  I'll admit it.  This question was initially just an excuse to take a picture of one of my cats, Ronny.  Isn't he adorable?  I've had so many good pets, and there are so many wonderful animals.  The list could go on and on, but what makes Ronny special is what he did for me after I had oral surgery.  Last year, I had a funny kind of bump on the inside of my lower lip.  I know it's not too pleasant to talk about.  I had to have it removed, though, which required stitches.  The surgery was a piece of cake, but I was in pain for weeks after.  Leading worship services was actually very difficult for me at the time, and so was sleeping.  So Ronny knew something was wrong, and at night he would climb on my shoulder and purr until I fell asleep.  Now, months after, he still likes to sleep on my shoulder. 

I know it's not terribly dramatic, but it sure is nice to have a pet like that!  Now there aren't a lot of Bible verses about pets, it's true, but one is Proverbs 12:10, "Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel." (ESV) So much is packed into this verse.  Although originally referring to agricultural animals, it is, to be sure, a reminder to be good to  your pets, too.  I would take care of Ronny just as much even if he never climbed on my shoulder, and I certainly didn't expect it and wouldn't ever demand that he did that.

But there's something more in that verse that bears mentioning.  Think about the people in your life that you help.   Are you doing it thinking they'll owe you something in return?  Wise pet owners love the animals they care for, and that love is returned freely.   How much more should we love those whom we help, letting that help simply be a reflection of God's own unconditional love for us?