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"So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:21 NLT)
Critter keeper. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was about.
Loving animals as I do, I couldn’t wait to see this end-of-school presentation. Although I had never heard of the gentleman, he came highly recommended.
After introducing himself, he brought out a large cloth bag tied at one end. Having seen numerous animal shows in my lifetime, I had a sneaky feeling I knew what was in the bag. He reached in several times but quickly withdrew his hand. After those failed attempts, he grabbed the bag by the sewn end and turned it over.
Suddenly, a large snake appeared on the gym floor—non-venomous, of course. We didn’t have to worry about controlling the students. They clung to the bleachers like sand in an hourglass. One of my teaching peers--who, by the way, had a bad hip--quickly exited the building, muttering, “That man has lost all credibility with me,” as she passed me.
On the other hand, I love snakes, so I couldn’t wait for the presentation. The critter keeper gave many scientific facts about snakes.
After the snake, he brought out a variety of other critters one by one. His knowledge was extensive. I could tell he had studied critters for a long time. But he didn’t stop with the scientific facts. With each animal came a spiritual application.
By the time he finished his presentation, I felt like I had been in English, math, history, science, and Bible classes. And I had. So had the students. I’m not sure whether the students realized it, but along with fostering an appreciation of critters, he showed us how animals can unify all the courses we teach.
After God—not random and godless controlled evolution—created the various animals, He pronounced his work and them good. I admit, I don’t know the purpose of some of the critters God created—and I wonder why He made them—but if God said they’re good, they must be.
When God told the first couple to tend the garden, that included the animals. I might not keep critters at home, but I’m responsible for keeping the ones God created. For me, that means providing water, seed, hummingbird food, corn, and birdhouses for the wild birds, hummingbirds, squirrels, ground moles, and rabbits that inhabit the woods around our house and subdivision.
In God’s sight, we’re all critter keepers. Think of ways you can help care for God’s critters.
Martin Wiles
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