By Rev. Jaime Nieves
As an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church, I have always been fueled by a deep passion for all of God’s creatures. That’s why I am the self-proclaimed Creature Preacher. The Holy Spirit has nudged me, for years now, to focus my ministry on the promotion and exploration of exercising compassionate and respectful dominion over animals the right way. What is “the right way”? Oh, I’m so glad you asked!
In the first Creation Story found in the Book of Genesis, God created each aspect of our universe and world and saw that each one was “good.” In creating every “creature” God never indicated that two-legged creatures were better than or preferred to the four- (or more!) legged creatures. Each creature is precious and beloved in God’s sight! I believe that God’s perfect plan for creation is the realization and appreciation of the fact that we are all interconnected with one another and interdependent for the most abundant life possible.
That means that the “dominion” with which humankind was gifted must be understood and exercised in the same way that God exercises dominion over humankind: with love, grace, understanding, patience, forgiveness, respect, kindness, and compassion. What a wonderful world it would be if we could love, respect, and care for all of God’s creatures (two-legged and four- or more-legged) every single day! That goal, dear friends, is not only possible; it’s imperative.
All creatures are important to God. In fact, from the Book of Job we know that God uses animals to impart important life lessons:
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you, and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.” (Job 12:1-7 NRSVue)
This sacred insight prompted me to wonder if the animals themselves just might be humankind’s best teachers for instructing us how to care for them and be good stewards of all God’s creation. I was then inspired to use that concept to write my first (of what I hope will be several) children’s books on stewardship!
“Micks”
In my first book entitled, Lollie’s Lessons from the Rainbow Bridge, we are introduced to Lollie, a sweet, smart, precocious little girl; her kind and wise Grammie Rose; and Grammie’s beloved senior cat, Micks. In this beautifully illustrated book, we read how Lollie lovingly helps Grammie Rose care for Micks during their weekend visits together. Then when Micks passes away, Grammie uses the Rainbow Bridge to comfort Lollie, to remind her of what a good steward she was of Micks, and to inform her that it’s her job to teach her friends how to be good stewards for their pets too—with the help of Micks and a few other precious animals who have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Rainbow Bridge, it is a mythological bridge that connects our world with heaven and God’s perfect meadow. It is said that all animals cross the Rainbow Bridge when they pass away, allowing them to continue to play and run with all the other animals in God’s perfect meadow while still watching over their beloved human parents.
So, going back to the book: How in the world will Micks and her friends from the Rainbow Bridge help Lollie teach her friends about good stewardship? You’ll just have to read the book! It is scheduled to be released later this year.
My life-long compassion for animal advocacy gradually turned into a heartfelt, inspirational mission as I began to recall the precious memories of my sweet cat, Mix, who passed away over 25 years ago as well my gentle cat, Lexi, who passed earlier this year. These two rescue cats were incredible, patient, and compassionate teachers who taught me how to be a good steward of cats and of all God’s creatures. Their priceless gifts of unconditional love, loyalty, forgiveness, playfulness, gentleness, and companionship have left an indelible mark on my life. Both Mix and Lexi helped me realize and appreciate the importance of being respectful to and of all animals.
Currently, I have the joy and privilege of being a “cat mom” to two amazing, adventurous, and active special needs cats. Stevey is a beautiful domestic shorthair tabby who had both of his eyes surgically removed (for health reasons) when he was less than a year old. His sister, Matilda, is a striking dilute calico who had one of her eyes surgically removed (again, for health reasons and at the same time as Stevey) and has approximately 30% vision in her other eye. These two bright little spirits have shown me, by their example, how to be bold when navigating uncertain and uncharted territory, and how to literally walk by faith—and not by sight! Job was right: “But ask the animals, and they will teach you.”
“Lexi”
“Tilly” and “Stevey”
Animals are not disposable. They have not been put upon this earth for our entertainment or to be made fun of; nor are they to be the innocent outlets for our frustration, anger, arrogance, cruelty, rage, or indifference. Animals are equal co-inhabitants of our world who feel joy, pain, fear, sadness, and love just like we do. Animals can teach us—if we will only be good students and good stewards!
Want to chat further or share your thoughts about animals, theology, and dominion? If so, I would be delighted to hear from you! Please look me up on Facebook (Rev. Jaime Nieves) or email me at: pastorjaimen@gmail.com.