Okapi Ears

Read: Job 12:7-10; Matthew 6:26

“Mom, what is this animal?” Tiana asked as she gazed past the zoo fence. The animal looked strong like a horse, but it had the stripes of a zebra on its legs. “Is it a type of zebra?”

Mom looked at the plate in front of the cage. “It’s an okapi. It’s related to the giraffe.”

“Not a zebra?” Tiana asked, wondering where the dark brown on the animal’s head and back came from. It was kind of cute with its big ears. “Do you think okapis have good hearing?”

“Not sure, but they can lick their own ears!” Mom exclaimed. “They have long, blueish tongues that help them reach and grab hold of leaves they want to eat. That’s crazy!”

“I hope I see one stick out its tongue today.” Tiana watched the okapis closely, hoping to catch a glimpse of one licking its ear.

“They also have oily coats that make rain slide right off,” Mom said as she continued reading the plate. “So, they never get wet.”

“That’s super cool,” Tiana said, still staring at the animals.

“Tiana, how did the okapi learn to get an oily coat?” Mom asked her. “Do you think they rub their backs in a puddle of oil?”

Tiana frowned. “No, that’s silly. They were made that way.”

“Made that way by who?” Mom asked.

“God,” Tiana answered. “He made everything.”

“He did, didn’t He? He gave them their ears and tongues and oily skin. He clearly cares a whole lot about okapis.”

Tiana shrugged. “I guess.”

“If God cares so much about these animals, how much more do you think He cares about you?” Mom asked gently. “I know you’ve been having a hard time since I started dating Rod. I know you miss your dad. I just want you to remember that Jesus loves you and is always with you. He came to earth and died to save you, and He cares about every detail of your life. You can talk to Him about anything—big or small.”

“I’m glad God cares about me.” Tiana watched one of the okapis lie down and lick its ear. She smiled. “And I’m glad He cares about okapis too.”

–Kimberly Brokish

How about you? Do you ever wonder if God cares about you? He does. When you look at the amazing way He created each animal and gave it exactly what it needs, you can see how much He cares about His creation. Yet the Bible says He cares about us even more than animals. He made us in His image and sent His Son, Jesus, to save us so we could have eternal life with Him. You can talk to Him about anything, knowing He cares about you.

Today's Key Verse: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: God cares about you