“Good people take care of their animals, but even the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” Proverbs 12:10

Let me introduce you to my two dogs, Hudson (the Labrador) and Lucy (the Black Mouth Cur). Each one has their very own personality. Hudson is a very goofy dog, with a very goofy voice that we made up. He loves my children unconditionally, and lays there will my four year old climbs all over him. Lucy is a very smart, hyper puppy who is learning new things from Hudson every day, like fetch, but, unfortunately has a bad habit of digging holes all around our yard and stealing the cat bowls, after (and sometimes before) the cats have had a chance to eat. They are extremely loyal and protective of my family (Lucy even tries to protect me from my five year old cats, eye roll please), but they are only that way because of one thing.

The hearts of animals are good and loyal. They will give you unconditional love, for the span of their lives, and to honor that you must take proper care of them. A dog or a cat may not like taking a trip to the vet, but when they no longer feel that pain, they will thank you for it. Just imagine having the chicken poxes and there was nothing anyone was doing about it to help you, so you just scratch and scratch, until your skin goes raw. It’s uncomfortable and itchy; think about how your dog or cat must feel, day in and day out. I bet they don’t enjoy it at all.

What happens if your neighbor’s dog or cat gets hung up near your house? You don’t like this person very much, so you do not particularly want to help, but you know what, you do anyway. Why? Because it wasn’t about the person’s happiness, it was about getting that precious animal out of danger. Many times a person has to set aside their own selfishness in order to do what is right, not what they would rather do. God states it this way in Exodus 23:5, “If you see that your enemy’s donkey has fallen because its load is too heavy, do not leave it there. You must help your enemy get the donkey back on its feet.”

God doesn’t command us to do silly things. These commandments are well thought out, because God has your life planned out for you and he wants to guide you, in a way, so that you end up following the goodness he has planned out for your life for you to prosper. God never sends us on a path that will destroy us. If that happens, it is because we used our free-will to make decisions that were not of his will, and we didn’t follow his commandments.

This is your second chance to grab up this shirt. I’m wearing a size small and it is the softest shirt I own. You have to have faith to follow God’s commandments, and it certainly isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but it is a must. That is the only way you will experience life at its fullest. Animals of all species and sizes want to experience a fun, loving, and fulfilling life. Following God’s advice is the best way to experience it.

Dear Lord,

I thank you for all the animals you have placed in our care and protection. May we all learn how to treat them better and love them more. Open up our hearts and minds to follow all Your commandments. Help us in our daily walk.

In Jesus name,

Amen