A Good-Night Ritual
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 (NIV)
During these days when chaos and violence seem to have taken on an appearance of a ghoulish monster that lurks behind every tree, be encouraged! We can still find a sense of normalcy and comfort. Peggy Frezon shares this peaceful, heart-warming message from All God’s Creatures.
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When it comes time to say good night, my husband, Mike, has his own little ritual. First, he goes to Petey, our young golden retriever, and pats him softly on the head, “Ernest loves you, Mom loves you, I love you and God loves you.” Petey blinks his eyes and rolls on his back for a belly rub.
Then Mike approaches eleven-year-old golden retriever, Ernest, curled up on his blanket by the foot of our bed, and repeats the blessings, “Petey loves you, Mom loves you, I love you, and God loves you.” Ernest places his paw on Mike’s arms pinning him down in an attempt to keep him there longer. Mike obliges because Ernest is sweet.
Although they clearly love the attention, there’s no way to know for sure how much Petey and Ernest get out of this ritual. But Mike says that he feels something special when he does it. Maybe it is, in part, the security of checking in with all the members of our family, making sure they’re all right before laying his own head on the pillow. Or it is the comfort of the nightly routine. In addition, he says, a calmness settles over him, a feeling that God is among us, taking care of all our needs.
Of course, no one in the family is left out. Every night Mike hugs me tight. “Petey loves you, Ernest loves you, I love you, and God loves you.” I feel it too. God is there with us. Good night.
Each evening when I say a prayer, how glad I am that You are there.
I feel Your presence everywhere, and not a pup escapes Your care. Amen.
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What a gentle way to end the day—especially if you are a pet owner. I do believe that we all can find peace without too much effort.
Heavenly Father, thank You for taking care of all of us. Keep us safely in Your loving arms as we sleep. AMEN.