SALLY: Grandma, which do you like best, your dog or your cat?

G-MA: That is indeed a strange request, Sally. Why do you want to know?

SALLY: Well, Mom says I can get either one and I'm trying to decide which I'd rather have.

G-MA: My cat, Buttons is quite aloof.

SALLY: What does aloof mean, Grandma?

G-MA: It means she has a mind of her own.

SALLY: How about Charlie, your dog?

G-MA: Charlie is always ready to accept my attention. He fetches the ball when I throw it. He just waits to do something that pleases me.

SALLY: Charlie sounds like a fun animal.

G-MA: Yes he is but both animals can teach us lessons about ourselves and our relationship to God.

SALLY: I know we should be like Charlie wanting to please God. But what about Buttons, your cats?

G-MA: Remember how Buttons jumped down out of my lap when I tried to hold her?

SALLY: I sure do.

G-MA: When she jumps into my lap it is real special because it is her choice to come to me. Do you remember going to Science Central and seeing the movie on robots?

SALLY: Yes, it is a fun place to go. But what does that have to do with Buttons and Charlie?

G-MA: Remember the robots did exactly what they were told to do. Would you like to hug a robot?

SALLY: No. It would be hard and a hug from a robot wouldn't mean much.

G-MA: We are not robots either. God created us with a free will. He is pleased when, on our own, we come to Him. So Charlie shows us we should want to please God by doing what He wants.

SALLY: And Buttons shows us how God wants us to give to Him our love and attention. But which do you like best?

G-MA: God created each one special in its own way and I like them both. You'll just have to make up your own mind as to which one you would rather have.

SALLY: How about you boys and girls, do you have a pet? Do you like almost any animal? God made them all and He often teaches lessons through them.

G-MA: Treat all animals with kindness and watch their behavior to see if the Lord will use some animal to teach us an important lesson. Bye for now.

SALLY: See you later boys and girls.