Welcome back to “Time in the Word”. It’s a pleasure to have you join us here. Our local area has recently suffered the loss of a community business owner, as well as seasoned members within our town and surrounding area. Losing people we love will be one of the hardest things we face. Many times I have taken comfort in Romans 8:22-25, placing my focus on “Whole creation groans…”

If you are reading this digitally, you’ll note that the scripture is linked. For the rest of us, we can pull out our bibles and turn to Romans 8:22-25, or I have included it here for you:

Romans 8:22-25 New International Version

²² “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Romans 8:22 has been a wonderful verse I like to share with friends who have lost loved ones, but especially their pets. I want you to know that losing a friend or family member (human being) certainly can’t be compared to losing a pet. We, humans as well as creation, do share a familiar bond, which is creation living on planet earth subject to sin.

Sin is destructive. It seeks to tear down, remove and destroy any representation of good within creation. Whatever God has meant for good, Satan is sure to have the reverse. We, as well as the rest of creation, groan under the weight of this all. Stuck here in bodies of flesh, exposed to the “elements” of this world through sin.

As believers in Christ, we are all waiting to be “redeemed”. Waiting for God to return the earth and all creation to the harmonious, sin-free existence it once had. We all suffer loss, betrayal, disease, and death. We know that earth and current earthly living is not our destination. We all are merely passing through with our own God-given assignments to complete, to grow more and more daily into a Christ-likeness, till our old self can’t even be seen.

Tucker had spent an enormous amount of time with our family. He lived in our home, rode around with us in our travels, hunted pheasant with pure joy, and was a faithful companion to and lover of people in general. Tuckers disease pain had exceeded what medicine could control. He was on a steady decline since December and in the last two weeks, he began to withdraw from his normal joys.

It was painful to decide to “put him down”. Loving him and being loved back by him was a special treat. As he peacefully drew his last breath I knew he was set free. Free from the burden of life here. His suffering was over and I believe that someday I will see him again. That might be a stretch for you, but the more I come to know God and read of His love for His creation, the more I believe he gives them earthly assignments as well.

Tucker was God’s holy instrument. Tucker hung on with my care and attention to deliver only what faithful dogs do; unconditional love, devotion, and dedication. Tucker deserved nothing less than the sacrificial gift of being set free. It is the least I can do for God’s animal creation. I was tearfully honored and humbled that God would work so lovingly through him in the ways that he did.

Waiting patiently for this hope. The hope of restoration and peace to which we all will be set free someday.