St. Francis, and Blessing These Scruffy Animals

Me and the Little Miss Abby, leading worship together

St. Francis of Assisi

Text: Genesis 1:20-26

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Texas

+ INJ +

One week in October – on a Sunday morning and a Wednesday evening - every year, we take the time to worship outside. We do this each year to honor St. Francis, a monk who lived in the 13^th century, and was known for his deep love for creation. In this first week of October, some of us bring our pets with us, and it is funny and strange and sometimes a bit of a hassle, but we do it anyway because it is a holy time of remembering these creatures before God.

These creatures, who are so much a part of our daily lives that they know our routines sometimes better than we do ourselves. These creatures, who are so much a part of our daily lives, that when they are gone, we miss them deeply. These creatures, who in the span of ten minutes can take away, and then add to the burdens of our lives.

They take care of us. When I was growing up and we had cats, they were quiet, ever-present companions. I’ve had dogs lick away my tears and let me hug on them for as long as I’ve needed. Our current dogs bark at every noise, ostensibly to warn us of impending danger, just in case this is the one time that the dishwasher decides to go on the attack. (Anyone else have dogs that bark at the dishwasher?)

But we take care of them, too, and this is what we sign up for when we adopt an animal. God says in Genesis 1 that we are to have dominion over the earth. But dominion does not mean making every part of creation yield to our needs or demands. Dominion brings with it a great responsibility of caring for creation – our pets, the earth, the land upon which we live and work, and all the creatures that share this creation with us.

Our care for creation – including these animals – is one way in which we show our love for God. God is the giver of all creation to us, so it is fitting that – every so often, at least - we give thanks and praise to God outside, in God’s creation, surrounded by trees and birdsong, with the sky overhead, the dirt beneath our feet, and our scruffy animals by our sides. All of this reminds us that God loves us and we belong to God.

Our dog, Abby, often wakes me up during the night to go outside. Sometimes, it’s a quick trip outside – she does her business in an expedient manner, and we’re back inside in just a minute. Other times, though, she lingers. She sniffs the wind or the grass, she cocks her head to listen over the noise of the neighbor’s AC unit, she wanders over to look at something in the pool.

During these times in which she lingers, I am at first frustrated with her. I’m the crazy lady out in the yard at 3am whisper-yelling “ABBY. DO. YOUR. BUSINESS.” And you know how she responds? Usually by walking further away and taking even longer.

So these are the times when my patience is tested, when all I can really do is give in to the moment that has been given to me: a moment to look up at the stars, to feel the breeze, to find the moon hiding behind a tree or a cloud. It sounds sappy, I know – and yes, of course there are times when I’m still impatient – but more times than not, I am able to take those moments to behold the creation of God, and thank God for creation and for his love shown to me.

Thanks be to God for his great gifts to us – for creation, but especially for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in whom we are all made new creations.

Amen.

+ SDG +

And here's Mr. Charlie!