Saint Francis of Assisi Day 

Blessings for a wonderful day and week.  Yesterday was one of those days. I try to get my animals out to a blessing of the animals service during the first week of October. I remember how much those services meant to me during the last years of my beautiful animals who have passed on. At any rate, I knew it would be a challenge this year with Lady (the first part of the name was tethered more in hope than reality) Naomi Ruth. She did not disappoint. 

We went by the dog park first, and in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi and his love for animals, we spent some time at the park and offered a prayer for those dogs and owners who were interested. We later attended a service at King Avenue United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio, where there was a beautiful worship,and treats for the dogs, visitors, friends, members and clergy, who celebrated God‘s love for all of His creation.  "All things bright and beautiful," played on the church bells to open and there was a moving closing with the reciting of the Serenity Prayer of Saint Francis. Every single animal was prayed for individually and by name.  It was a day to reflect and be thankful for all the friends, human and animals that God has placed in our lives.

 Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace)

 Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: 

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

 where there is injury, pardon; 

where there is doubt, faith; 

where there is despair, hope; 

where there is darkness, light;

 where there is sadness, joy.

 O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, 

to be understood as to understand,

 to be loved as to love.

 For it is in giving that we receive,

 it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

 and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

 I find the prayer very calming and grounding. May we all learn and grow from these beautiful words. Take a moment to reflect on the prayer today. I believe it will be a blessing to you as well. Thank God for creating such a wonderful world! I certainly thank Him for all of His creation and the beautiful people like you who have blessed my life. May your week be a beautiful one.