Welcoming a new pet into your household can be an exciting time. Regardless of the type of pet, animals are a reminder of God’s love for all creation. They help teach us responsibility and compassion and they can become an important part of our family and household.
As you welcome a new pet into your home, we would like to recognize this moment during worship. It is an opportunity to celebrate and to ask God’s blessing upon both you and the animal. Please contact pastor and arrange for a Sunday to celebrate this milestone. As part of the recognition of you adopting a new pet into your home, we would encourage you to also bless the new pet at home. Download a special devotion for blessing your pet at home.
As you welcome your new pet you may want to invite some of the following conversations. These conversations can be had as part of the devotion as you bless your new pet. You may want to revisit both the devotion and blessing on the anniversary of when your pet came to live with you.
- Responsibility. Having a pet requires care and effort. We humans must provide for the animal’s need and ensure that they have what they need to be healthy and happy. What are the special requirements of your particular pet?
- Care of Creation. Welcoming an animal into our homes is an example of God’s creation. The stories of Creation in Genesis 1 & 2, remind us that God provided animals for us. They provide companionship, help, resources, food, and much more. Caring for our pets is one way that we honor God’s creation and the gift of animals in our lives. It also invites us to reflect on how we care for all of Creation so that the wild animals have a safe and healthy place to live. What are some ways that you can care for the world around you so that the wild animals have a safe place to live?
- Companionship & caring. While pets can often provide numerous benefits, one of the most common is giving us companionship and teaching us to care. How does having a pet make you feel?