07-31-26

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 31, 2026
Today, July 31, is National Mutt Day, a day to celebrate and consider adopting a mixed-breed dog. Among those reading this, there are certainly many who have done that at numerous moments in life. In fact, I know a handful of people that always head to a shelter in search of the most diverse dog possible… often looking for the one that even causes veterinarians to scratch their heads and say, “I can only guess.” In a world that prizes the purebred, willing to spend astronomical amounts of money, there is something about finding beauty and joy in what the world defines as a mutt. I don’t know about you, but I have been known to feel like a mutt. As a kid, I was always the second or third shortest in my class. I knew what it was like to get toward the end of choosing teams during gym class, and one of the captains would say, “I don’t care. Why don’t we flip a coin?” There are others who have been betrayed by a lover or spouse and made to feel like they are worthless. You can probably name another situation where a child or an adult was left feeling as if s/he was perceived as having little or no value. Now I’m not suggesting that any human being is a mutt, but we definitely live in a world where people clearly determine who has value and who does not. And these determinations have absolutely no basis in anything. Love is what helps one find that value, and in many cases, it is the adopted mutt who reminds its human parent how valuable s/he is. 

For everyone who has served as your affirming voice, Lord God, I am thankful. And for those furry four-legged gifts whose unconditional love provides joy and laughter, we all say, “Thank you!” Amen.