We are a family of animal lovers. Over the years our children have had pet rats, pet mice (not my favourite), rabbits, a dog, cats and chickens.
I have written before about our Maine Coon Louie and Ziggy. Sadly, earlier this year we had to have Ziggy put down as he was obviously struggling. So, we are down to two cats, Louie the Maine Coon and a ginger female, Poppy, who though half Louie’s size, still rules the roost. Poppy came to us 16 years ago at Easter. This is the story of Poppy joining our family.
I was leading the Easter service for families and I wanted to find a way to illustrate to young children the power of the events that happened at Easter. I particularly wanted to show the power of God’s love and what that means for our lives.
It is one thing to know the story: that Jesus was welcomed and celebrated as he rode into town one week, that the size of the welcome frightened the powers-that-be because Jesus’ popularity threatened their positions of status, that those in power used gossip and slander to get the cancel culture of the day working so that a week later the crowd was screaming for Jesus to be killed.
We can know the story that Jesus appeared before Pilate who had the power to decide Jesus’ fate and couldn’t find a reason to condemn him to death no matter what the crowd demanded. But in the end the crowd was so vicious that Pilate feared for his own well-being, so he publicly washed his hands to distance himself from his own decision. All this time Jesus could have defended himself but refused to, because he knew a much deeper story was in play. The immense love that God has for all people was about to be shown.
So Jesus, completely innocent of any crime, allowed himself to be killed on the cross as a criminal. When soldiers were sure he was dead, Jesus’ body was buried and the tomb sealed. The bible tells us that three days later, when Jesus’ friends went to his tomb to care for his body, the tomb was inexplicably empty and later that day many of Jesus’ friends saw him alive.
While we may know the story, what it means for each of us is so powerful, so filled with hope, forgiveness and love that I desperately wanted the children to feel it that day.
Here is where Poppy fits in. I chose a range of baby animals to convey the hope and joy of new life. We had a puppy, some bunnies, chickens and Poppy – who was the most cuddly kitten I’d ever seen. I borrowed her from a generous pet shop owner who was happy to support my work. Poppy was the favourite that day as we told the Easter story and “Ta-Da’ – presented all the new life that represented Jesus’ resurrection. Poppy accepted pats and cuddles as the children caught a glimpse of God’s love for them. I couldn’t bring myself to return Poppy to the pet shop after that, so she’s been with us ever since.
Poppy still reminds me of Easter and the new life that Jesus’ death is all about. Each of us has the chance to take the power of that story into our lives. God’s love and forgiveness is always available if only we will accept it. Why not visit your local church this Easter and give God a chance?
