The Beauty of His Creation
If you know me well, or if you follow me (or my daughters) on social media, it doesn’t take long to discover our love for animals. Mine doesn’t include rehabilitating or adopting multitudes of homeless animals like my daughters do, but, none the less, I do love all animals (except for snakes…and that’s biblical, just read Genesis 3).
When I was a kid, I would try to pet any animal I could get close to. This led to multiple scratches and bites, including snapping turtle and squirrel! I thought I’d be a vet, but figured out that wouldn’t work since I can’t handle the blood, and the pain of these dear creatures! So, instead, for a time I worked at a zoo! Absolutely loved it! Even when the sun bear tried to grab me and ripped the buttons off my shirt, or when the male lion, Brigham peed all over me! (The absolutely worse smell I’ve ever worn!) Yes, I was close to their cages!
My first day on the job at the zoo, I got bitten trying to break up two buck rabbits fighting! First stitches I’d ever had in my 19 years on earth at that time! I got to babysit the baby lion, Marabi, overnight. I rehabbed a blue jay and released a possum to the wild. I adopted a baby skunk from a litter who’s mom had been killed. Yes, I’m animal crazy, and so are my girls!
Our back yard has been such a respite during this pandemic. I’ve had unhurried time on the deck overlooking woods to spend with the Lord and watch the wildlife. Although I do not have any zebras, here are a few of my “pets”.
I missed a photo of the only hummingbird I’ve seen so far this year!
Only a couple of times, in the 25 years we’ve lived here, have I seen a fox. But this year we’ve had two! Here’s one along with a doe!
Oh, and of course, and #Modawg! Our only “real” pet!
Recently my daughter asked if I’d like to pet a 5 month old white arctic fox. She knew I’d jump at the once in a lifetime chance!
This beautiful animal was a “house pet” that didn’t work out. So he’s being re-homed to a place where he can be safe, yet live as free as possible as a domesticated fox.
Yes, I love animals and I’m so grateful that in the beginning, God spoke them into existence for us to enjoy and love! He created them before He made Eve!
The Lord God formed out of the ground every wild animal and every bird of the sky, and brought each to the man to see what he would call it. And whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man no helper was found corresponding to him. (Genesis 2:19)
I am continually awed by God’s creativity in nature. It’s in nature that I relax most and hear Him best. Maybe because it causes me to be still, and to be quiet, so I CAN hear. My favorite place to do this is the beach, but because of Coronavirus, I had to cancel two beach trips. In its place the Lord has provided this extra abundant menagerie to bless my time at home.
Quarantine has made it possible for many of us to slow down our pace and hear from Him. I am grateful that He has brought me many beautiful “deck mornings” to observe His handiwork and praise Him for who He is. I hope this season has given you some sweet moments in the middle of the pandemic restrictions and concerns.
Even the animals, and all nature, praise the Lord as we see in Psalm 148:7-13! Pray this passage as you worship Him today!
Praise the Lord from the earth,
all sea monsters and ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and cloud,
stormy wind that executes his command,
mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
creatures that crawl and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all judges of the earth,
young men as well as young women,
old and young together.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted.
His majesty covers heaven and earth.
Banner photo by George Brits on Unsplash
