Creation Speaks Volumes

One night this week, as I was going for a walk, I spotted a weird-looking bird that appeared to be an odd conglomeration of chicken, duck, and goose all in one. It walked like a chicken, bobbing its head up and down; it swam like a duck, even though it had lobed toes instead of webbed feet; and it honked and hissed aggressively like a goose when I came too close to its nest. Needless to say, I was perplexed as to the kind of bird it was. Therefore, when I came home, I immediately searched the Internet to find my answer: the bird is called an American Coot.

Here is the female American Coot walking to the edge of the lake after she spotted me. Previously she was pecking on the ground eating food.

Here again is the female American Coot honking at me for getting too close for her comfort. Her nest must have been hidden in the nearby grass.

The male American Coot is nearby, swimming back and forth as he keeps an eye on his family.

This is the breeding and nesting season for birds, ducks, and geese. As I observe winged creatures that God created, I am amazed to see just how naturally protective the parents are for their babies and how closely the mother and father work together.

Yet in our human society, millions of children live without the protection of one or both of their parents. I always hear in the news so many children in our world who are being abused, neglected, unloved, and uncared for, living in split homes that are unstable and full of strife. Some are even being murdered by their parents, molested or raped by their fathers (or male friends of their mothers), locked in cages or closets, severely malnourished, and left forgotten in stifling hot cars.

Children need both mother and father, united together, to love, care, protect, and teach them. And as Christian parents, our first priority should be to love God, then our spouses and children. But in our society, most people, even those that go to church, have become lovers of themselves first and foremost, leaving their children to suffer.

Men and women can learn a lot through nature. After all, it was God who created every living thing. We just need to take the time and observe, and then let God speak to us.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world."

Psalm 19:1-4 (NIV)