Walking through our wooded neighborhood, I noticed an Eastern towhee flitting through the pine brush. He was joined by others, chickadees, wrens, and a cardinal. Bluebirds lit on the fence post. I could hear crows calling in the distance and the fuss of a bluejay. Then it struck me how many birds I can name. Is that important?
Did you name your dog or pet? Do you know the names of your neighbors' pets? Why? Is it because they have names? You are familiar with them. You care for them. They are important to you. God wanted the animals and birds to be important to Adam. He gave the responsibility to Adam to care for His creation. Farmers often do not name the animals they plan to sell to the market. Why? They don't want to be attached.
Do you know your neighbor's name? I can see a house through the trees whose occupants I have never met. How cold is that word, Occupant? They live and work and probably go to school. They have days of health and sickness and accidents I never know about. Maybe one day I will see a lot of cars or a white wreath on the door. I don't know their names but God does. He sees. He cares. He knows their names. He cares if they know Him.
How did I learn the names of the birds? I set out birdfeeders. I listened to their calls. I became familiar with them. I have seen pictures of people feeding wild birds from their hands. I have fed and tamed feral cats. Getting to know the birds and animals is such a joy but it takes time. They won't eat out of our hands at first. They need to know we care about them before they trust us.
It's the same with people. We have to be friendly with others, get to know them, and show we care before they trust us, before they are willing to hear what we have to say. What do we have to say? It's simple.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.~John 3:16He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Psalms 137:4
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