God's Magnificent Creatures

Read Lamentations 3:22-26

Ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you.

-Job 12:7 (NRSV)

I believe we can learn much from God's creatures. Our family's golden retriever, Jake, is no exception. With every joyful movement of his furry body, he eagerly greets me with a relentlessly wagging tail, passionate wet licks, enthusiastic attentiveness, and a steadfast willingness to be by my side. Jake consistently behaves this way no matter the day, no matter the weather, no matter what mood I am in. Each time I am with him I smile and feel unconditional acceptance and love.

I am not as consistent as Jake in my relationships. In my interaction with God, my attentiveness can vary depending on what the day holds and how I feel. Whether life is going extraordinarily well or I am experiencing trials and tribulations, I may even forget about God. Jake jubilantly relates to me; I want to relate to God as enthusiastically and consistently through daily prayer, Bible study, and seeking God's guidance.

God patiently waits for me to seek and experience true relationship. Believing this, I can smile and feel God's unconditional acceptance and love. I thank Jake, one of God's magnificent creatures, for consistently reminding me of this daily opportunity.

Rick Edwards (Virginia, U.S.A.)

Dear God, thank you for offering us daily love and acceptance. Amen.

All of creation can call us into relationship with God.

To be good stewards of God's creation