I know I focus a lot on birds, but, I have had a lot of fun watching the animals the past few days. The squirrels were having such a great time wrestling around today, and it reminded me of how any frustration that I might have experienced throughout the day immediately dissipated as soon as one of my children smiled or I watched them sleeping. Of course, I didn’t have the overwhelming sense to grab the squirrels and hold them close, but, I did momentarily feel like the frustration was worth it as I was watching them play around. If only I could keep them from chewing on the feeder!

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And, I am sure they must be destructive because everyone always seems to be removing them from their property, but I really enjoyed seeing this groundhog yesterday. Groundhogs are one of my daughter’s favorite animals so everytime I see one, I can’t help but think of her.

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And of course, I love seeing my birds! I even had a surprise visitor at the feeder! The downy woodpecker came to visit while I was getting ready to do some work on the deck. I know the turkey vulture isn’t the prettiest bird… but when it is soaring it is a beautiful sight! I am so glad our deck was low enough to take down the railing because I am now able to get better pictures of the cardinal’s sweet love!

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I love how this passage of the Bible expresses that animals are more than what we often give them credit for. It indicates that they have an intelligence and awareness of their creator. That is pretty cool considering how deeply some people have buried theirs. If for no other reason than this, we should honor our authority over animals and show them kindness. Afterall, the Lord himself cared enough about each of them to make himself known to them!

Job 12

“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;
And the fish of the sea will explain to you.
Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
In whose hand is thelife of every living thing,
And the breath of all mankind?