Genesis 1:24-25

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. 

25 God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 

Reflection

This morning I was heading out to move our vehicles and as I was approaching Kevin’s there was a little bunny immobilized two-feet from the driver’s door.  Not wanting to upset the bunny I went to my car first, moved it, beeped the horn and walked back up the drive-way.  The bunny was in the same spot. 

I gently talked to it, saying I would give it a minute to hop away.  Then I went into the house and slammed the door loudly, assuming that the sound might send it on its way.  No.  The bunny remained.  I was somewhat surprised that it was still so frightened that it could not move – and I did not want to upset it further.

From inside the door I watched the bunny, noticing how cute it was and appreciating its little ears perked up so attentively.  It still didn’t move.  Thinking that it must have sensed that I was too close I gave the bunny some time and went further into the house, coming back about three minutes later.  The bunny was still in the exact same spot.  I needed to move the vehicle (we are having paving stones delivered), so I knocked at the door from the inside, thinking that would be enough to frighten the wee little creature away, without alarming it too much.  Nope.  Still there.

As I looked through the door window, pondering the kindest way to move the bunny along, I noticed it.  The bunny was EATING OUR NEWLY GROWING GRASS!  That bunny wasn’t afraid of me. It was eating the grass that had finally started to grow.  It was waiting me out.  It was laughing at me for how generous I was as I allowed it to eat my grass.  And I started wondering if it was the same bunny who made a smorgasbord out of my hostas! 

Suddenly the bunny didn’t look as cute any more.  I went back outside and talked to it again as I made my way to the vehicle. When I was about three feet away the bunny hopped off, likely just long enough to digest its breakfast before returning for lunch!!!

It got me thinking…..how easy it is for us to love, cherish and embrace someone when it is beneficial to us, and how quickly we change our opinions and our actions when they behave in a way we don’t appreciate or understand.  Our acceptance can have reservations.  Our ability to cherish can have expectations. Our love can be conditional.

God’s love for us is ever-present.  There are no limits. No expectations. No conditions. Love. For you, and for the entirety of who you are.

When we are created in God’s image, I cannot help but wonder if some day we will love as God loves us…..  

Prayer

God, today help me to love as you love. Help me to see others through your eyes, so that I might offer acceptance and love unconditionally. Help us to collectively change the world as we love one another.  Amen.

To Listen and Learn

This version of a popular hymn will remind you of its writer and allow you to travel a bit in pictures.