Posted by Don Hungerford on May 16, 2001 at 18:15:24:
A nursery school teacher was delivering a station wagon full of kids home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children began to discuss the dog's duties.
"They use him to keep crowds back," said one youngster.
"No," said another, "he's just for good luck."
A third child brought the argument to a close. "They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrant."
That raises a good question: Of what use are all the animals to us? There are different ways you can answer that question. Some provide love and companionship, others provide protection, still others provide a display of beauty.
But animals also communicate to us. No, not like with Dr. Doolittle. Through their intricate design, their beauty and their instincts, they communicate to us that they (like us) were created at the hands of Almighty God.
"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 the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?" (Job 12:7-10).
We often try to teach and train our pets. Today would be a good time to turn things around. Listen carefully and learn from them as they teach you about God's existence.
THE EDEN ALTERNATIVE
"The Eden Alternative seeks to eliminate the three plagues of the Long Term Care institution-Loneliness, Helplessness and Boredom. We want to show others how companion animals, the opportunity to care for other living things, and the variety and spontaneity that mark our enlivened environment can succeed where pills and therapies fail. Our goal is to weave together that philosophy of the Eden Alternative with the practical applications and make it work in the real world of Long Term Care." (Bill & Judy Thomas-founders of Eden Alternative)