Departments



Articles

Less

Features: Sports Highlights
February 13th, 2004

Features: Levy County History
February 12th, 2004

Features: Governments Do Legislate Morality
February 12th, 2004

Features: Levy County Marks & Brands
February 9th, 2004

Features: Levy County History
February 5th, 2004

Features: Believe and Receive
February 5th, 2004

Features: Sports Highlights
February 5th, 2004

Features: Sports Highlights
February 4th, 2004

Features: Ecstasy or Ecstasy
January 29th, 2004

Features: Levy County History
January 29th, 2004

Features: Homecoming Game Highlights
January 25th, 2004

Features: Levy County History
January 22nd, 2004

Features: Thank God for Police
January 21st, 2004

Features: School Sports Highlights
January 18th, 2004

Features: Choosing a Church
January 16th, 2004

More

Best Friends

Best Friends

James Campbell, M.Div

I was talking to two of my fellow staff ministers as we were about to enter the church office. A young man stepped toward me and spoke, "Pastor, may I speak to you a moment?"

"Of course," I said. I looked at him. He was wearing shorts and a tee shirt and running shoes -- standard fare for our Pasadena neighborhood. With him was a large shepherd-like dog on a leash.

"Pastor, would you bless my dog?" he asked.

I must have paused. I had never in all my years been called on to bless an animal, but there was a look of pleading in his eyes. I turned to the dog who regarded me with disinterest. I took hold of his muzzle with one hand and formed a cross of blessing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with my other hand. Then I patted the animal on the head, and turned my attention back to the young man.

"Tell me about your dog," I said. It seemed to me that he had been crying; now his eyes filled with tears.

"He has an incurable disease. He is in a lot of pain. This afternoon, I am taking him to the vet to be put to sleep." He sobbed a moment and went on. "We have been together for eighteen years."

He raised his eyes to mine. I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded. There we stood, the three of us, for a moment. I put my hand on his left shoulder and with my right hand made the sign of the cross before him.

"I bless you also, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and pray that God will be with you through your sorrow." He smiled, called the dog by name, and slowly they walked off toward a car parked at the curb.

Surely, I thought to myself, God must have a place in His heaven where friends like that can be together.

(All rights reserved.)

Click for printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

 

 

© 2013
Cedar Key News

cedarkeynews@gmail.com