My last post a week and a half ago let you know that Ralf has gone to doggie heaven. I knew that I was going to be sad, yet I've been shocked at the depth of my grief and how it has taken me out of the game. I've been pondering why that is.
Part of me thinks that my grief is a longing for Eden and Heaven. When Adam and Eve were kickin it in the garden before the fall, they were in right and good relationship with the animals. The critters were companions long before they became food. In the book of Revelation we see that at the end of it all there will be a new heaven and new earth where the earth and heaven will be united and earth resotred to an edenic state. You can hpothesis that we will be in right and good relationship with animals (and all creation for that matter) when we get to glory.
Ralf wasn't just another four legged thing. He was a friend and companion who gave me, my family and many others a glimpse back into Eden and forward into glory where we were and will be walking in tight communion with animals. My friendship with him filled an void that has been present in all humanity since Genesis 3 - the longing for all to be well. For some that void is filled with horses. For others by a long walk in the woods. still for others a day on the lake answers that call for Eden. For me it was filled with my brown furry friend. I miss him becasue I (like you) was made for heaven.
Peace and Joy
Rob
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Rob, I'm with you in this reflection. In fact, after reading Chapter 40 of "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn, I choose to believe that Ralf is going to with you in the resurrection as well. Jesus will be making "all things new" in the resurrection (Rev. 21:5). The "whole creation" has been groaning for that glorious day (Romans 8:21-23). Why wouldn't that include Ralf? If God knows how to give good gifts to His children, wouldn't the reunion with our beloved pets come right after our reunion with him and Grandma?
ReplyDeleteGood word my brother
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