Reptiles
and arachnids and insects – oh my!
Yet
even though they terrify me and I dislike their defense mechanisms, I find an
intriguing and exquisite beauty in each of the aforementioned creations.
They're all His...even the scary ones.....!
After
all, each one belongs to God – His hand formed and crafted every one. He knows
when one perishes as prey or gets swatted by me.
Close to extinction...
The
American alligator came close to disappearing from earth during the 1950s and
1960s. The species was hunted to near-extinction, for alligator appetizers, as
well as to meet the demands of those who sought alligator hide handbags, shoes
and what not. And many alligators were eliminated simply because
humans feared them or viewed them as pests.
A
reduction of unprotected wetlands at the time, which meant diminishing habitat,
also contributed to their vanishing population.
A helping hand from
man....
But
that changed in 1967 when the alligator was officially listed as endangered.
Hunting halted for a time and state and federal agencies began raising
alligators in various facilities to later release and reintroduce to areas
where they’d previously been extirpated.
Success!
Restrictive
and managed hunting to prevent overpopulation of the American alligator is
allowed now, but only with guidance and monitoring.
A peak at a reptile or
two or more ....
On a recent walk with God at Magnolia Springs State Park, about thirty miles from my home, I encountered a small handful of alligators in their natural habitat.
Visitors
are strongly encouraged to keep their distance and view the reptiles from the
boardwalks only. (I had no trouble complying.) The alligators swim freely in
the springs and often crawl out of the mud to lounge on the grass and bask in
the sunshine.
Protecting God's
masterpieces....
As
part of his job as a wildlife biologist, my husband
has the privilege and honor to help protect the American alligator. He’s
relocated many an alligator that wandered a little too close to humans.
You
know, I don’t think I’ll ever be brave enough to assist my husband with any of
those relocations – I think I’ll continue to view them safely from the
boardwalk, locked safely in my vehicle, or even farther away.
Still frightened, but appreciating and caring from afar..... really far!
And,
I think I’ll always be terrified of a slithering snake and not particular fond
of eight-legged, web-builders. But that doesn’t mean I should wish for their
eradication because of my needless fears or cause their demise because of my
carelessness.
God
formed each living and breathing masterpiece, and He expects me to do my part
to care for His creations. All of His creations – even the icky and slimy and slithering
and scary ones!
In his hand is the life of every living thing..... Job 12:10 ESV
What
about you? Do any of God’s creations terrify you as much as snakes and alligators scare me? Have you learned, like me, to appreciate their beauty – as long as you
keep your distance?
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