Well, it has been a sad week in the McKnight home this week. Last Sunday afternoon we had to put down Molly, our family dog and companion of 10 years. Just three weeks ago we discovered that Molly had advanced lung cancer. We are grateful that she had a great quality of life that lasted right up until last Saturday night, but on Sunday she was suffering so much. I told the family, “We can’t do much for her right now, but we can end her suffering… at least we can do that.”
The hour long drive to the 24/7 veterinary hospital in North Ridgeville felt like it lasted for 10. She was so brave! Molly has never liked going to the vet, but she let me lead her into the hospital on her leash — walking with dignity and curiosity — in spite of her serious illness.
In the small examination room we all said our goodbyes. I assured Molly that I would take up her cause of keeping the raccoons, squirrels and chipmunks from taking over the homestead property. “Don’t worry, Molly, I will chase them off for you.” As the drug was administered she laid her head quietly on her paws and she was gone. As she laid there, she looked just like she always looked as she laid in her “cave” under the coffee table in front of our couch. I am unashamed to admit that we all wept… even as I am as I write this ponderings… Molly brought such joy to our lives.
I have often found myself just expecting to see her this week. Working in my shop I heard a jingling and looked up expecting to see her with her dog tags and collar… Coming home I have anticipated her standing at the top of the stairs as I walk in the house, with my slipper in her mouth waiting for me… only to remember that she will never be there again.
Molly was innocent, you know. She had done nothing in her life to merit the disease of cancer. It was Humanity’s choice to sin that allowed death and disease to enter our world. It was Humanity’s choice to rebel against God that has caused His Creation to be twisted due to sin. Paul wrote, “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it… We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Romans 8:20, 22 NIV And last Sunday Molly became part of that groaning process.
There is coming a day… a blessed day… when God will fully redeem all of Creation and He will create a New Heaven and a New Earth; while we look on in wonder at his power and glory. Oh how I long for that day! In the Romans 8 passage quoted earlier I intentionally left out verse 21 which says, “in hope, that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:21 NIV
Will Molly be waiting for me in the New Heaven and the New Earth? I don’t know. I don’t think anyone can answer that question with complete certainty and confidence, but I do ponder… if anything in Creation deserves to be redeemed… she does.
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