Scared of Losing a Pet? What Jesus Would Say

Hey, Carpool Crew. I'm Pastor Justin and I'm really glad you're here today. Happy Monday. I hope your week is starting off really good. We're gonna talk about something that's really sad, but also something that almost everyone goes through. What if I lose a pet? This October we're going through a series called: what would Jesus say to the things that scare me? And maybe you're scared of losing your pet. Maybe you already have. Maybe your dog or cat passed away. I remember my cat passed away after 15 years when I was 18 years old. Maybe your hamster or your goldfish only lived a short while. So if that's happened to you, I just wanna say this. I'm so sorry. It's really hard to lose a pet. And you know what? This might surprise you, but it's also something that Jesus cares about, because he cares about everything that matters to you. In John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible, the easiest one to remember, it says, 'Jesus wept.' Now, you might think that's a really short verse. I don't really understand how that applies to me. That verse, just two words long, being the shortest verse in the Bible, but it's also one of the most powerful. Why? Because it shows us that Jesus cried. He had emotion. He cried when someone he loved died. He cried when his friends were sad. He cried when grief filled the air. Even though Jesus knew he had the power to bring people back to life, he still took the time to feel the sadness with others. That means if your heart is hurting after losing your pet, Jesus gets it. He doesn't just tell you to move on or cheer up. He sits with you. He cries with you, and he loves you through it. He cares about the things you care about. If Jesus were sitting in the car with you right now and you told him, 'I miss my dog,' or 'I keep thinking about my hamster that died,' I think he would probably look at you and say, 'That pet mattered to you, and your tears matter to me. You're not silly for feeling this way. I love you. It is okay, and I'm right here.' See, don't forget, Jesus was there in Genesis 1 when God created the heavens and the earth. Jesus was there and he took part in making the animals. He gave us the joy of caring for the animals. And when we lose them, it's okay to be sad. Let me tell you a short story about a kid we heard from. He had a goldfish named Rocket. He fed Rocket every morning and even taught it tricks. Well, sort of taught him tricks. One morning Rocket wasn't swimming anymore. He was gone. He felt really sad even though it was just a fish. But here's what happened. His family held a small goodbye ceremony for the fish. They said what they loved about Rocket, they thanked God for the fun memories, and he prayed, 'Jesus, I'm sad, but thank you for letting me have Rocket.' He still misses his fish, but something felt lighter inside, like God had made space in his heart for the sadness and the good memories. Now, if you've lost a pet, here's a few things you can do. First, talk to Jesus about it. Jesus cares about the things you care about. 'Jesus, I miss my pet. I am really sad. Will you help me feel better?' Second, celebrate your pet's life. Write down your favorite memories. Draw an awesome picture or 50 awesome pictures. Say a thank you prayer for the good times you had. And tell someone how you're feeling. Tell a parent, tell a friend, tell a leader at church. It really helps. Jesus made us to carry sorrow together, not alone. So don't be afraid to cry. Remember, Jesus cried too. Losing a pet is hard because loving them meant something, but your grief doesn't scare Jesus. So when you think about your pet and you feel tears coming, don't be ashamed. Know that Jesus knows how you feel and cares about the things you care about. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. Parents, if you love today's podcast, consider texting a link over to a friend. Let other parents know about Carpooling with Jesus. And don't forget, you can always subscribe for more Carpooling with Jesus weekend episodes, bonus shows, and we actually have one coming this Wednesday. Before you go, answer this question together. What's one thing you loved about a pet you had, and how can you thank God for that memory today? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.