Day 25

"'I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.'"

John14:18

Those of you who read our blog know that Wes and I want to adopt children. As of today, we're also going to be adopting a cat! Woot!

I think it's very relevant that Jesus talks about leaving his disciples not as orphans, but will return to them. Most Christians talk about God as Father, making us all brothers and sisters in Christ. We are no longer orphans, as we were when Jesus died and ascended, but we are a part of God's family.

Much like God has willingly accepted us into his family, making us his children. We are no longer wandering the world, alone and parentless. We have the perfect, wonderful Father. In the same way, I think we are called to take care of the orphans of this world. Although not all of us have the means or the desire to adopt orphans, Jesus makes it clear that we are to care for them as our own--feeding, visiting, clothing, and loving them as God's children.

I don't think animals are any different. I don't think God would want domesticated animals left alone to fend for themselves in the world. So we're called to take care of them as part of God's creation, as well. Some people, like the volunteers at Res-Q-Pets, foster or care for the animals while they're waiting for families. Others, like Wes and I, adopt the animals. Still others, like the people who shop at Shop Rite in Hamilton, provide food and money to care for the pets. None of these is a higher calling than another. They are all part of caring for God's creation, and we are all a part of that goal.