Losing Pets 4 Kids

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Losing Pets 4 Kids
Overcoming Grief

Q. My dog died last week and it makes me so sad. Do you think my dog will be in heaven when I go there? Will I ever see my dog again?

Answer:

One of the saddest times for children is when they lose a cherished pet. You're not alone. Adults grieve over this kind of loss, too. Thankfully, the Bible gives children lots of hope that we may see our pets again in heaven someday. Let's look at what it says.

Our World

Our pets and animals are part of the creation that God gave us to enjoy. The apostle Paul tells us that the whole creation began to die when Adam sinned. That includes our dogs, cats, people, plants, trees, and everything else alive on the earth.

Yet, after God first created the world and its animals "God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!" (Gen. 1:31, NLT). I doubt that God will just forget every living thing he ever made.

Everything Dies

We find some information about what happened to the creation and men after Adam sinned. For example, look at the book of Romans, chapter 8, verses 20 through 22. Here's what it says:

"Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay." (NLT).

God Will Re-make New Bodies for Living Things

Notice that these verses tell us the whole creation (probably even our pets) will be brought back to life even after they have died. In other words, the apostle Paul is saying that just like Christians will get new bodies in heaven, so will the original creation get new bodies, too. Remember that this includes our animals, pets, plants, trees, etc..

So the apostle Paul is comparing Christians getting new bodies to the creation or animals getting new bodies, too. These are bodies that won't die anymore.

That's exciting!

DNA

I'll bet you have learned a little bit about DNA in your science class. DNA is like a plan or "blueprint" inside each living thing. It carries genetic information in the cell and can reproduce itself.

God doesn't waste anything. So wouldn't it be great if God uses your pet's DNA to make your dog or cat come alive again? This would be sort of like "cloning" pets except they would be made even better the next time. They would remember you. In looking at the science behind cloning it may give us just a little hint about the way God might bring back our pets.

Making Everything Better

Would God make the animals better so they won't die and leave us the next time?

I think he will.

The Bible tells us that God is going to make everything new again. Notice this doesn't mean our Lord will make new things and just forget the old things. Instead, Jesus is going to make everything that existed before, "new again!"

This is kind of like giving you back your old, broken bicycle in brand new condition just like it was when you first got it for Christmas. Wouldn't you love to see your dog alive and well under your Christmas tree?

The Lord says it this way: "Look, I am making everything new!" (Rev. 21:5).

Animals Praise the Lord

In Psalm 148 we are told that "wild animals and all livestock, small scurrying animals and birds, kings of the earth and all people, rulers and judges of the earth, young men and young women, old men and children"... will praise the Lord (v. 10-13).

The Bible also says,

"Let every created thing give praise to the LORD,
for he issued his command,
and they came into being.
He set them in place forever
and ever.
His decree will never be revoked."
(Ps. 148: 5-6, NLT).

These verses are talking about every living thing that God created since the beginning of the earth. These are all things that the LORD said were "good" (Gen. 1:31). But, how can everything, including our pets who have died, praise the LORD unless He makes them alive again?

I think the answer to this question is easy. They could praise God because He will probably make them all alive again!

Isn't this wonderful?

So yes, I think it is possible you will see your dog again when Jesus makes you and the whole creation new again. It may happen if you are going to heaven.

How to Go to Heaven

Do you know if you are going to heaven? Let's be sure. Here is how the Bible says we can be sure we will go to heaven:

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We must believe that Jesus is Lord. That means he is the creator and controller of all things (Ro 10:9).

Believe that he died for your sins so you won't have to be punished for your own sins (1 Cor 15:3).

Finally, believe that Jesus came alive from the dead after he died on the cross (1 Cor 15:4). That means he has the power to bring everyone back to life who has died.
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All people who believe and trust Jesus become his children (John 1:12). If you are one of His children I can't wait to see you in heaven! Maybe we will both see our pets again. What do you think?

Feeling Happy Again

Meanwhile, I'll bet the Lord has another pet just for you who needs your care and love. Remember to pray to God to send you a very special pet who needs you. That's because when we help others we begin to feel happy again ourselves(2 Cor. 1:4).

Then, don't forget to let me know about your new pet and I'll tell you about mine.
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