Playing Tag
But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play. Malachi 4:2 (CEV)
How many of us have a passion for God’s creatures? We watch the animal channel on TV and are amazed with the intricate details and unique instincts with which He has blessed each species. Even just watching a calf at play can put a smile on our face, lower our blood pressure, and draw us closer to Him. Janet Holm McHenry (All God’s Creatures) takes this one step further to the interactions with His creation in this delightful devotion. Smile!
*****
My friend Diana struggled with health challenges last year, but her love for rabbits and all of God’s creatures—especially county fair types—kept her going. An avid rabbit breeder and showman, Diana also lovers and appreciates her daughter’s family menagerie of rabbits, pigs, chickens, and dogs.
Their heifer, Molly, has quite the personality. She apparently thinks she is a dog, because she loves playing soccer with her snout with Diana’s three grandsons. And she also noses her way through the fence to lap on a big, slurpy kiss, so you always have to watch for that huge cow tongue coming for you!
Although Diana wasn’t able to kick a soccer ball with Molly, they enjoyed a game of tag through the fence—Diana said it was a common activity for the two of them. With a tap of her hand, Diana would tag Molly, then the not-full-grown calf would prance around the corral, eventually circling back to my friend and tagging her back. Molly helped Diana chuckle and forget about her health struggles for a few minutes.
God’s creatures can indeed help us forget the difficulties in our lives, providing a delightful distraction that lightens our hearts and countenance. They put into perspective that God means for us to enjoy the beauty and joy of the world around us rather than let it weigh us down. A butterfly flutters in front of us and makes us smile. A rainbow appears in the sky, reminding us that storms are only for a season. And even a silly animal such as a cow who thinks she’s a dog invites us into moments of play that can lighten our hearts. When we pause to delight in play, I think God smiles too.
Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning. —Diane Ackerman
Loving Lord, thank You for all creatures great and small. You created them for our life-lesson about play. We are grateful for the reminders that our difficulties are only for a moment. Teach us to hold these reminders near and dear. AMEN.