Joy Shared
Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart. Proverbs 15:30 (NIV)
Not knowing much about Holland Lop rabbits, I found this fascinating. Look how small and vulnerable this tiny creature is. Because of genetic issues, their cuteness must be enjoyed quickly. But that does not mean that the life lessons are shorter or non-existent. Kristen G. Johnson (All God’s Creatures) has a message for all of us.
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We named Him Bubba. This little Holland Lop rabbit was born a “peanut.” When two bunnies with the dwarf gene have babies, there is a chance the little kits will get two dwarf genes and become peanuts. They usually do not survive past two weeks, and more often die within a few days of birth, because their pituitary gland doesn’t function properly. When we saw Bubba, and how tiny he was compared to his siblings, we understood this reality, but we wanted to give him a fighting chance. We helped feed him and made sure he kept warm in his nesting box.
With our help and his mother’s sweet patience, he grew! We couldn’t believe he’d lived as long as he had and grown to be a five-inch-long fluffy fireball. I loved Bubba’s bubbly personality. Any time I went out to the rabbit hutches, he would jump out of the nesting box and race toward me. If I put my hand down next to him, he would climb up my arm and sit on my shoulder. When we put him on the back of the couch, he would race along the top one way, freak out the cat, then turn around and race back the other way. I thought maybe, just maybe, this spunky, energetic baby would beat the odds.
Unfortunately, as we feared, Bubba lived only about six weeks. But this short life made a huge impact on me. He taught me that even when we deal with obstacles and issues and life is hard, we can still choose joy and spread that joy to others. His excitement when I greeted him each morning filled me with a sense of value and importance. Thanks to Bubba, I remember that I can offer the same feeling to others when I share with them the joy God has given me.
Keep the joy of loving God in your heart and share this joy with all you meet, especially your family. —Saint Teresa.
Loving Lord, thank You for joyful moments. You are with us in all our moments and we praise Your name. Teach us to share our joy. AMEN.