The World of Grandpa Don

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Jesus and Animals

As you may know, I own a number of prints, pencil sketches by Jean Keaton. Her sister, Mauree, who takes care of the business end of things for Jean sent a couple advance copies of new sketches depicting Jesus with dogs. They wanted my opinion before placing them on their web site, their fear being that some people may be offended.

In each of these sketches I continue to be captivated by the expression of love on the face of Jesus. Jean has given us a picture of the soul of God, a god who so loved us that he sent His only Son to show us the way to Him. 

For so many people God is visualized as a stern judge who looks for, and records, our mistakes, ... waiting for us to fail. I don't believe God is like that at all. Why would God create something for failure? 

We build something to succeed and if it doesn't, we fail with it. God will not fail, it is against his nature. (If I can presume to define God's nature.) He wants us to succeed and, I believe, continue His creation using the resources He has provided. He wants us to love each other, and all His creatures, and all His creation. It can not be any other way! 

Animals, and dogs in particular, will turn on us only if threatened or if trained by humans to do so. Based on these beliefs and the very nature of dogs to love humans, unconditionally, I believe that Jesus must love them. Do we trivialize Jesus by picturing the mutual love of Him and an animal? Hardly. 

Jean's sketches all depict a Jesus who is loving and compassionate. It is universal and unlimited. Let us not place limitations on God's love. Go ahead Jean, publish these sketches and touch the hearts of everyone with the love that shines through your talent.

Don Plefka
9/9/02. 

Visit Jean's Web site.

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