A few days ago, two of our cats had a shared birthday. We don’t know the exact date of their birth. It is a best guess for us.

The pair first discovered us when they were just kittens. They ventured out from beneath the storage shed and into our view in early November of last year. They were perhaps about four months old. We eventually settled on the date of July 31 for their birthday. That was just a few days ago.

We named the pair Abby and Ziva, after characters on the television show “NCIS.” We eventually lengthened those names to “Abby Dabby Tabby” and “Ziva Diva Soprano.” (Ziva has small, very high-pitched vocalizations).

On Monday, Abby wasn’t feeling herself. She was very vocal and visited the litter box every 10 minutes or so.

I called our veterinarian. I was so very thankful to be able to get Abby in right away. In short order, she was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and given antibiotics.

On Facebook, I let friends know what was going on. I post a lot about our cats on that platform. (I have found this is to be preferable to posting a steady dose of politically-based rhetoric that changes no one else’s mind).

I said this about Abby on my Facebook page: “Yes, I do think it is appropriate to have good thoughts and prayers for animals and if you do so it would be appreciated!” I was thankful that a number of folks obliged.

In Scripture, there is plenty to support the notion of God caring for animals. For example, in Job, chapter 39, verses 1-3, there is the story of God confronting Job over the intricacies of creation:

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the deer? Can you number the months that they fulfill, and do you know the time when they give birth, when they crouch to give birth to their offspring, and are delivered of their young?”

This points to God’s observance and care for all of creation, all that God has made, and not just humans.

The challenge for us is that we may view creation as if nothing matters but ourselves. We may become myopic and disregard the worth of “lesser creatures.”

Yes, I prayed for Abby when she was sick. I also am of the mindset – in God’s eyes – that the rescue of those two kittens were for their benefit, and that I was merely an agent of love and grace, and not at the center of it all.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Moses Lake and has served as parish pastor for more than 30 years.