The Rabbit Connection

Whenever I walk in my neighborhood, I notice the rabbits. Like most communities, mine has an abundance of bunnies. Some people think they are pests, but I love to search for them as I walk. In fact, seeing a rabbit or two always reminds me of God's presence and his overwhelming goodness.

This rabbit sat right next to the path, still as a statue, hoping I wouldn't notice him as I walked by.

Forty-odd years ago, Bill and I lived in Michigan where the wind seldom blew, but on those rare occasions when it did, God used the wind to remind me of his presence with me. Here in western Nebraska, it's a rare day when the wind isn't blowing, so I'm not usually reminded of God's presence just because of the wind. But the rabbits, although plentiful, are not constant like Nebraska’s prevailing northwest wind. When I spy a rabbit, with its natural camouflage that makes it blend in with its surroundings, I am often reminded that God is close by, too, waiting for me to notice him.

These two rabbits were sitting quietly next to the bushes, until I got too close. Then, they both ran for cover.

 

This rabbit was harder to see, because its protective coloration helped it blend into the landscape.

Although I like rabbits, I don't want them to help themselves to my garden vegetables. We have a couple of rabbits that like to sit on our front lawn occasionally but, thankfully, they haven't yet found their way into our garden in the fenced backyard. As I walk in the neighborhood, it isn't unusual to see rabbits in other yards, as well. However, the best place to spot rabbits is a few blocks from my house, at Northfield Park. 

This spring, the rabbits have been even easier to find at the park because someone has been removing the overgrown underbrush, along with a few bushes and trees, to make room for some new plantings. The rabbits still have plenty of cover, but they now have additional wide open spaces where I can spot them as they sun themselves at the end of the day.

I've been noticing that our local rabbits' coats are a mixture of colors: brown, tan, black, and even white. That mixture of colors provides the extra measure of protection they need to escape from predators of all kinds.

In the last few weeks, I've been struggling more than usual with some health challenges, to the point that I sometimes have to force myself to get out of the house and walk. One cold, dreary day last week, the wind had been blowing ferociously all day, and the rain had been sputtering down off and on. I had no desire to leave the house until the clouds parted just before sunset, the wind died down, and the temperature rose enough to make a walk seem worthwhile.

On a typical day's walk, I might see one or two rabbits. If I see as many as six or seven, I feel like it's been an exceptional day, and I become even more aware that God is with me. But on that day last week, when I had been feeling especially discouraged, I spotted 18 rabbits. Eighteen! 

Most of those rabbits were in the park.

I had never before seen that many. I suppose that they, like me, had spent the day at home, in their burrows, away from the numbing wind and rain, and when the wind finally died down, and the temperature warmed up, they ventured out of their underground retreats to soak up the last rays of the setting sun.

I spotted this rabbit after the sun had set, sitting so still, hoping to disappear into the background.  

That day, which had been a hard day for me, God used the abundance of rabbits to remind me, once again, just how much he cares about me and my struggles. If he cares so much for the rabbits, providing them with warm homes, abundant food, and protective coloring, I can be assured that he cares even more for me. (See Matthew 6:26.)

Because of those 18 rabbits, my whole day was suddenly better. My whole week was better.

God often uses ordinary, everyday things to remind us of his goodness. What ordinary thing has God used in your life to remind you how much he cares for you?

Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

Isaiah 55:6 NLT