MEDITATION:
Written by Barbara Conrad.
“He prayeth best, who loveth best, all things great and small.
For the dear God who loveth us; He made and loveth all.”
Inspired by a verse from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
We know that every one of us is blessed just to be alive on this earth. Many of us are blessed to have beautiful and loving families. Some of us choose to add a pet to our households. God created ‘All creatures, great and small’. That certainly includes our Charlie, a mixed-breed dog, who was found wandering on the desert behind Victorville. He was malnourished with some medical issues. Luckily, he was rescued, treated and eventually became our pet. Perhaps my family made a turnabout in this doggie’s life, but this creature of God brought a large dose of love to us. We are grateful to God for this big ball of fur with a waggling tail, a wet nose and those big brown eyes. Charlie and I walk nearly every day on the beautiful horse trails in the area. He brings joy to so many folks who stop to pet this irresistible no-longer-a-stray dog. Everybody wins! God must be smiling.
PRAYER:
Attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi (c1181-1226, an Italian Catholic friar, deacon and preacher. He founded the men’s Order of Friars Minor, the women’s Order of Saint Claire, the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land.
Heavenly Father, our human ties with our friends of other species is a wonderful and special gift from You. Our goodness is turned upon every living thing and Your grace flows to all Your creatures. From our souls to theirs goodness flows, touching each of us with the reflection of Your love. Grant to our special animal companions long and healthy lives. Give them good relationships with us, and if You see fit to take them from us, help us to understand that they are not gone from us, but only drawing closer to You. Grant our prayer and watch over our animal friends until they are safely with You in eternity, where we someday hope to join them in giving You honor forever. Amen.
MUSIC MEDITATION:
All Things Bright and Beautiful: The Tabernacle Choir. Arranged by John Rutter and based on an English hymn published in 1848.
Pathways Press.com 