Juggling Otters, Spitting Fish…and Me
The more we learn about nature, the more it astounds us. Recently I’ve learned that otters like to juggle rocks, and no one knows quite why. There’s a fish that spits water at insects on reeds outside the water, until they fall and become his next snack. Then there’s a monkey that taps branches with a stick until he finds one that has bugs inside. After that, he splits open the branch to enjoy a meal.
Each of these creatures, so unique! Two of them have unusual ways of finding food, and otters just seem to be playing happily, though it’s possible they are practicing their clam-catching abilities. Each of them is one more proof of divine creativity, and even humor.
Then there’s us humans… we are dazzled by the abilities of others and sometimes long to imitate them. We see our “ordinary” abilities as just that, and yet each of us has a unique combination and orientation of those gifts. Then again, we often never know what someone else admires in us or even covets.
This person has a knack for whipping up delectable meals with little effort. That person does all kinds of mathematical procedures in her mind. The tedious work of detailed embroidery is no such thing for others. Others are naturals at speaking in public, even ad lib! Then there are those individuals who do amazing things with their bodies, in sports or in dance. Others take away our breath with their soaring voices. Gymnasts and ballerinas, with their flexible bodies, make unusual positions look easy as pie. And so on, ad infinitum!
Perhaps you’re thinking, “All I can do that’s different is bend my pinkie backwards!” Don’t worry, I don’t care if you juggle, do handstands, write poems, wow the gang with your culinary delights… or just bend your pinkie backwards.
However, I highly doubt you are that limited. Dare to ask others what they appreciate about you. Ask yourself how you are special. You are a unique blend of abilities, with a unique personality. Above all, God created you and me, and that alone makes you special!
