Two weeks ago, a family from church gifted us with two bunnies. Never having owned a rabbit in my life before, I have found this new experience delightful. I never imagined that bunnies have personalities! It has been such fun watching them explore our house; they are wonderfully curious. We named them Moon and Stefano.
As usual, Daddy God turned this happening in our household into an opportunity to show me something. For those who have ears to hear (i.e., a listening heart), He is ever so talkative, ever speaking to us through the events of our lives.
A few minutes before I sat down to write this, I walked out to the area where we are keeping them. I took notice of a pattern that has been emerging. Moon seems to be more receptive to me than her brother bunny. When I quietly approach and reach out to her, she reciprocates. She comes near too, wiggling her nose inquisitively. She pauses for me to stroke her soft head and back, relaxing into my touch. Stefano, on the other hand, has not warmed up to me the same way. He generally moves away from me when I try to make a friendly approach.
As I observed that difference this afternoon, Holy Spirit pointed out to me the subtle impact it has on my heart. Automatically, I am forming a sense of extra emotional warmth towards Moon. In her little bunny way, she has added joy to my day by acting pleased to see me. In contrast, Stefano has endeared himself to me less. Rebuffing my persistent, gentle attempts does not lend itself to currying my heart warmth.
Here is the spiritual lesson. If a little bunny can bring a degree of pleasure to my soul by responding to me, how much more can you and I bring pleasure to our Father’s heart! We are created in His image. We respond to love because He responds to love. He made us to be the way He is. He made us to respond the way He responds. Do you get joy when someone you love (even your pet!) responds lovingly to you? Multiply that by an immeasurable amount, and that is what happens to our Daddy’s heart when we respond to His affection.
When you look His way with love, His heart lights up. Today, you have the opportunity to bring Him pleasure by simply responding to Him. He created you for Him. No one else alive today, or alive ever, can bring Him joy in the unique way that you can. Will you love on Him today?
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Is there an animal in your life that you are attached to? Has the Lord used your pet to speak something special to your heart?
I can imagine your heart will leap so much more when the one who now turns away, upon your continued persistence and showing of love, decides to respond back…….GOD BLESS Jennifer. I bet they are beautiful!
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Aw, now that is an insightful thought right there! Yes! You are so right! Thank you so much 😊🌹
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Bring Him pleasure by responding… love that! Thanks.
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You are welcome, CG! Thank you too 🙂
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This was so beautiful Jennifer. Bringing pleasure to God by responding to Him – I really like that.
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Aw thank you, Manu! I am so glad it blessed you 🌹🤗
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We have 2 crazy kitties &love them to pieces!!
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Aw yay!! We have two kitties too. They are not sure what to make of the bunnies 😀
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🐇🐰🐇🐰
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You can potty train bunnies if you didn’t know. I used to keep them in my kindergarten class. In their cage slip a plastic thin container under the cage part in one corner that has kitty litter in it. They will do their business in that corner mostly. Helps with clean up. I used to use the meat tray container that came with like hamburger or steak. Something slim and then you can throw it away.
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Thank you so much for the tip! So they would automatically go in that area? Another friend told us something similar but we hadn’t tried yet. We’ve been trying to find the right materials to build them an area in our front yard, but sometimes this is challenging in our remote jungle city!
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That was my experience. They must like the cat litter smell.
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Fascinating! They apparently also like the smell of dry cat food. We have discovered that we have to keep our cat food out of their reach because otherwise they will eat it!
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UH-oh! TWO bunnies!? If they are male and female, they will not be TWO very long!! 😂 Better stock up on some modular cages!
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Chuckling at that. No worries, we have scoped out and found a vet for neutering. 😀
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A beautiful illustration to really think about. Give the Lord pleasure by responding to HIS love. What a challenging thought indeed.
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Thank You Holy Spirit! I am so grateful this was a blessing to you, my sister 💖
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We had a mini-Rex that lived eight years and eight months; he roamed in our small backyard during the day, but we chased him into his cage at night. I got a little emotional thinking about him. Anyway, yes, when we spend time with our Heavenly Father, “He will take great delight in you…will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
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That verse speaks really deeply to my heart tonight, thank you Keith. Soaking it in. And your mini-Rex sounds like such a gift from the Father! Precious memories. Thank you so much for your visit!
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