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| photo by Bill |
“Uh-oh. There’s a group of school kids headed our way,” I whispered
to my husband Dick as we stood watching the otters at the Brookgreen Gardens
zoo. “These critters will hide for sure.”
We savored our last few minutes of quietly watching the
otters lazily swimming in the stream and
lounging on the bank. Both seemed completely oblivious to our presence.
We were soon surrounded by about 20 children under age
seven, all clamoring to get to as close to the wooden rail as possible. They loudly
exclaimed in wonder when they spotted the slick furred animals.
Imagine our surprise when the otters, rather than retreating
to their hidden den, started performing! They swam as close to the kids as
possible, diving and leaping with abandon. And each time they surfaced, they
checked to make sure the children were still watching!
Dick and I just looked at each other in wonder. The otters
certainly didn’t react the way we expected. They loved the children!
Later, we meandered down a path indicating barnyard animals
ahead. Although it was nearly one o’clock in the afternoon, we could hear the
rooster in the chicken enclosure crowing.
“That rooster’s timing is a bit off,” I said with a chuckle.
As we got closer we heard several little boys trying their best to imitate the “Cock-a-doodle-do”.
The rooster loved it! He was answering the children! Again, it was not the
reaction to the children that Dick and I expected.
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| Dominique Rooster |
Later, as we talked about our zoo visit, Dick said, “You
know, it reminded me of when the people brought children to Jesus. The
disciples thought He wouldn’t want to be bothered and rebuked the ones who
brought them. They were surprised when, instead, Jesus welcomed the kids and said,
‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of
heaven belongs to such as these.’” (Matthew 19:13)
Adults often see children as the ones who need teaching, but
Jesus saw them as teachers and examples. In Matthew 18, we read how Jesus
called a little child to stand among the people and said, “Truly I tell you,
unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the
kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself, like this little child,
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. . . “
Matthew 21 tells us, “The chief priests and scribes were
indignant when they saw the wonders [Jesus] did and the children shouting in
the temple courts, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’
‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked.
‘Yes!’ Jesus answered, ‘Have you never read the Scripture
(Psalm 8:2) that says from the mouths of children and infants You have ordained
praise?’”
I admit, there have been times, especially when my children
were still at home, when I have dreaded a child’s presence (that of my own
children or the children of others), ignored his/her behavior, failed to
consider what they were thinking, or dismissed what they said. According to
Jesus, by doing so, I have most likely missed out on valuable spiritual and
life lessons from God.
Our experience at the Brookgreen Garden Zoo taught me I
should express my always appreciation. The children’s exuberant enthusiasm for
what they saw actually pleased the animals and prompted them to perform even
more. Wouldn’t we get the same reaction from people if we let them know we
noticed they did a good job?
What has God taught you through a child?
Be encouraged!
Pam
