Day 7

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20, NLT)

“O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.” (Psalm 104:24, NLT)

“Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” (Psalm 43:3, NIV)

From their first snuggle to their last breath, your pet was pointing you to hope all along.

There were so many things that made your pet special, but perhaps the most remarkable thing about them was how they reflected God’s love and pointed your heart to him.

While Scripture makes it clear that God created only humans in his image, it also clearly states that all of creation displays his glory. God chooses to reveal himself through the things he has made. From stars to oceans, from mountains to flowers, and from humpback whales to hummingbirds, all of creation reflects God’s glory and directs our hearts and minds to the Creator.

All along, God has been inviting you to follow your pet’s paw prints to him and to his son, Jesus—the perfect and complete image of God’s love.

Jesus is described in Colossians 1:15-17 as the firstborn of creation who holds creation together. And John 1:3 and Hebrews 1:2 declare that God created everything through Jesus.

Not only were all things—including us and our pets—created by and for Jesus, but as the sovereign author and sustainer of life, he saw fit to put us and our pets together, that we might reflect his love and his goodness to each other.

Your pet loved you so well because, all along, it was Jesus loving you through them.

From their first breath to their last, your beloved pet was pointing you to the One who sent them to you; the One who loves you more than any other; the One who can, and will, see you through this grief.

Jesus is with you, even now. Right in this moment. Whether you feel it or not. Whether you believe it or not. The God who loved you so much that he extended his love to you through your pet is with you still. Loving you. Holding you. Connecting you to his love and to the love you still share with your pet.

We can grieve with hope because we do not walk through the darkness of grief alone. We walk through it together—with Jesus on one side and the love we shared with our animal on the other.

And one amazing day, we will come face to face with the source of love himself—and with the precious pet who led us to his love.

When you’re ready . . .

Write down a few specific ways your pet demonstrated God’s love to you. Spend some time thanking God for revealing himself through your pet, and ask him to continue to reveal his love to you as you grieve.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you sent my pet to show me your love and to lead me to you. Help me trust that you are with me and that you always will be. Please walk with me through this grief. Be my light, my hope—my home.