WE CAN LEARN FROM GOD'S CREATION

WE CAN LEARN FROM GOD'S CREATION
Monday, June 23, 2025 by GAIL SCOATES

Categories: devotional / GUEST AUTHORS / Reviews and Interviews

PLEASE WELCOME

GAIL SCOATES

TUESDAY’S TREASURE

When we study scriptures, we learn that God desires for us to be present with others and to help ease life’s burdens. While we learn from Scripture and our community of believers, we can also learn from animals. God used a dove to tell Noah that there was dry land, a whale to put Jonah back on track, and ravens heeded God’s directive to feed Elijah. As he did in the Bible, I believe God speaks to us today using all in his creation to teach us lessons and reveal spiritual truths. God used my cat, Tessie, to reveal a lesson to me about the importance of comfort and being there for others.

Tessie (a tabby cat) and Tucker (a golden retriever) grew up together in our home. They were connected like Velcro. Where one was, the other was right there.

They were a living example of Ecclesiastes 4:11: “Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?”

Tucker passed away when she was only eight years old, and the kitty needed someone else to love.

Turns out Tessie’s favorite place was near my husband. When I was gone for the evening and he would watch television, Tessie made it her personal mission to sit on his lap, as though her presence was needed in my absence.

Our faithful kitty also seemed to be aware of difficult times. If we were sick, she was right by our side. Following surgery and recovering at home, our furry friend was a self-declared overseer of my husband’s recovery. Later, I fell and broke my arm, but I was not able to have surgery. Tessie repeated her role as recovery supervisor.

During the six weeks of my arduous recovery, Tessie was my constant companion. While she had previously preferred only my husband’s lap, throughout my recovery, she was constantly at my side. Her warm presence and purring brought me great comfort and helped to soothe my impatient soul.

(She modeled Galatians 6:2 (NIV) where Paul reminded the people of Galatia to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”)

Although Tessie was nearing her fourteenth birthday, she gave no evidence of health problems. Yet, four days after my return to work, I found Tessie downstairs. She was in one of her favorite places, under my husband’s desk. She had died peacefully during the day while we were at work. Though I was sad she was gone, my heart was at peace knowing she had her final rest in a favorite spot.

It brought me great comfort to think she had given of herself so fully to be present with me and helped to ease the burden of my recovery. I believe Tessie demonstrated what God asks us to do for others: lessen the weight of their burden, and love one another as God loves us.

She had completed her final assignment of being present for me, and her job was now done.

ABOUT GAIL SCOATES

Gail Scoates is an award-winning author. Her books Paws, Purpose, and Possibilities: How Therapy Dogs and Faith Healed My Heart and 5 Minutes of Gratitude: Paws and Purpose for Everyday, have received first-place awards in Christian writing. Her other books include Gratitude and Reflection: Paws and Purpose for Everyday. Her latest publication is Color with Sadie: 5 Minutes of Gratitude: Bible Lessons for Toddlers and Early Readers. They are available on her website and Amazon.

With a heart for God and for dogs, her books show us how God’s creation can teach us about God’s love. Gail works part-time as a Health Promotion Nurse when she is not wintering in southern Alabama. She also trains and evaluates teams for therapy dog work, writes, and travels. Gail is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Word Weavers, and the Christian Independent Publishing Association. She lives in Fond du Lac with her husband.

https://pawspurpose.net/

ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF GRATITUDE/PAWS AND PURPOSE FOR EVERYDAY

Amid daily activities, we long to find hope, healing, and comfort. As I was

looking for encouragement and some nourishment for my soul, my eyes fell upon my dog, curled up peacefully outside my office.

Looking for inspiration, I reflected on this possibility: Might I learn things about God and my relationship with him from my dog?

The Bible verses and short dog stories in this journal hope to help you consider that idea. Everyday topics invite you to ponder your faith and life journey by reflecting on memories, love, loss, and other personal points in time. As you dig deep and reflect, I pray you find a smile on your face and in your heart.

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MY REVIEW

Dog lovers will especially enjoy this journal/devotional. With scripture references, the author skillfully relates the truth in the Scripture to how dogs show us the truth. In addition, she provides an opportunity for the reader to reflect and ends each passage with a significant and relatable quote. I recommend this book to all pet lovers.

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