I awoke early Saturday morning and read a note from my wife telling me that Gerbil Washington Carver, my 11-year-old son's gerbil, had gone to heaven during the night.
I thought it was quite ironic since I had been reading Billy Graham's book "Death and the Life After ." Furthermore, I was in the portion that discussed how to deal with the death of a pet. On page 55, Graham says, "The death of a pet may be a child's dress rehearsal for other losses. If we treat that death with respect and dignity, answering the child's questions, we will probably help prepare him for the inevitable encounters with the death of a friend or relative."
This was a great help as I prepared to tell Matt about Gerbil later in the morning. I remembered how Matt named the black gerbil Gerbil Washington Carver after we had read the biography of the famed educator, George Washington Carver.
After Matt woke up, I told him about the passing of his pet gerbil. He was saddened by the loss but took it quite well. One reason he took it well was because he knew that Gerbil had lived his fourscore (four years) according to the rodent actuary tables. Then Matt told me that he wished he would have spent more time with Gerbil. He would often pray for Gerbil before retiring at night. However, the rigors of homework and outside playtime often relegated Gerbil into the background as Matt grew older.
As I reflected upon Matt's busy schedule and his lament that he should have spent more time with Gerbil, I thought about similar issues I deal with in ministry life. I reflected upon the adult child who sobbed uncontrollably at the funeral of her mother because of their strained relationship. I also thought of the wayward son who had not talked with his dad for months before his dad died. I also thought of the siblings who fought each other to get more of the family estate when their mother died unexpectedly. Sadly, I could go on and on but for the sake of time and the length of this article, I will spare you the details.
I told Matt that I wanted him to officiate at the funeral of Gerbil Washington Carver. We talked about whether there will be animals in heaven, and then I helped him settle on a scripture for the service. He decided on Isaiah 11:6, which says, "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them." I told him to think about the passage and to be ready to bury his gerbil when I returned home in the afternoon.
When I returned home, he had prepared a makeshift cardboard casket for Gerbil and had written Isaiah 11:6 on the side with Gerbil's obituary dates on the lid. Matt, his brother Mark and I headed to the backyard to begin our task. I dug a hole for the gerbil as Matt gently placed Gerbil in the casket. Then he placed his pet into the prepared grave and stood to give the eulogy. He reflected upon the joy that Gerbil had brought to him and our family, reviewed the scripture and projected how it would be to see Gerbil in heaven. Afterwards, Mark did a closing prayer as I filled in the grave of the dearly departed Gerbil. The part of his eulogy I shall never forget was that he wishes he would have spent more time with Gerbil. I hugged him and told him that he and I also need tospend more time together. I also told him that when my time comes, I would be honored for him to officiate at my funeral.
How about you? Is there someone you need to spend more time with? What about a parent or loved one whom you haven't called or written for weeks or months? When was the last time you told each family member you loved them? Whenever I leave home, I always tell each family member that I love them because my return is not guaranteed. The funeral of a loved-one or pet is no place for regrets. Today is the day to tell people how much you appreciate them.
"Go thou and do likewise..."
Selah and Merry Christmas!
Pastor Mel and Matt Waters