Pets and the afterlife

Do you believe all dogs go to heaven? As a Believer, that's a difficult question to answer in full truth. As a dog lover, I can't imagine an afterlife where my best friends wouldn't be present. God gives us a heart for animals, a love for dogs that goes beyond love for ourselves, how could He not allow them into heaven to be with us for eternity? We spend our allotted years on this planet reaching for the purity of heart and kindness of soul that every dog just has. There is no purer love than that of a dog for his human.
The bible tells us that to spend enternity in His presence, we must be saved by his Grace, accepting him as our one and true Saviour. So how does a dog do that? Do they have any understanding of Him and His Grace? One could argue that a baby who dies before he is of an age to understand Christ would go to heaven. I firmly believe that is exactly where children go. The bible says that all who must accept Christ as their Saviour to enter the gates of heaven will have the opportunity to do so. A child who can not understand would not truly have the opportunity to know Him so would therefore enter heaven as an innocent. One could argue that a dog is similar. They do not have the ability to understand salvation as we do, but they are also innocent of evil or intentional sin. Could they not also enter heaven as innocents who are protected by His Love? I believe they must. A God who loves His children as I believe my Saviour does would not deny me eternity with my beloved pets. He would not give me such love for dogs, giving us just a few years together on earth, and not allow me to spend forever with them in heaven.
Dog lovers speak about the Rainbow Bridge, a place where our dogs wait for us until we pass from this world and into the next. It is a beautiful story and a lovely thought. Except. They would wait for up to 70-80 years for their humans. I don't think that is quite right. They have no need to wait for us. They are already perfect. I believe they pass into the afterlife, perhaps finding our loved ones who pass before us, and wait for us while basking in His glory.
I believe my Ginger, whom we lost suddenly and tragically, is in heaven. I believe she is with my Granny, keeping her company for us. I must believe I will see her again.

Appreciating Your God Given Talents...and not being angry for what you can't do

This morning, as I was singing Phantom of the Opera at the top of my lungs while driving to work, it occurred to me that while singing is not one of my talents, I enjoy it nevertheless. I have always loved to sing. All kinds of music, words that speak to me, music that moves me. I sing. I can not, however, carry a tune in a bucket. I do not sing in the presence of other people. It would scald their ears! I accept that singing well is just not one of the talents that God gave me. Neither is dancing for that matter, though I love to move. Oh to be able to paint the masterpieces that I see in my mind! Alas, paint them I cannot.

There are so many things that I enjoy, but am not talented at doing. You know what? That's ok. God gave me many gifts, though sometimes they seem hidden.
I firmly believe that God does not give any one person everything. People might be smart and they might be Pretty but if they are both, they are usually Not Nice people. You just don't get everything.

So many people lament what they can't do, what they don't have, rather than truly pondering what they CAN do or what gifts they do have. It is much better to be aware of our particular talents, put them to good use, than to cry about what we can't do. Perhaps your talent lies in your ability to comfort others in a time of need, or in seeing a situation in a completely different light, or maybe in understanding complex mathematics. Whatever our talents, we should be introspective enough to recognize them, and, upon realization, put them to good use.

I am blessed with smarts, an analytical mind, and a drive to "get it done". I call myself a "handler" because I am the person who handles it. I get it done. I poke and prod people to get their parts done. That also means I am impatient, though God has put many things in my path to teach me patience, and abrasive, with which I struggle. I am a southern belle, and I can "talk southern" with the best of them, but my bluntness can be upsetting to some. I was not graced with a smooth tongue, but you will always know where you stand with me. My mind and my mouth both get me into trouble plenty! I take on more than most people can handle, and I do it all, to the point of my own exhaustion. But these are my talents, my gifts, the things that make me who I am and give me the ability to do all of the things that I do. I will never be an opera singer, or a company dancer, or even good enough at painting to sell what I create, but if a job needs to get done, I'm your girl.