Hogs and birds have taught me a lot about God’s love.
Pappy—my maternal grandfather—raised hogs. And my cousin and I loved nothing more than to roam the hog pens.
One thing we enjoyed was watching a sow birth piglets. When she finished delivering her little ones, she lay still while each piglet rooted for a milk source. If she happened to get into a position where some couldn’t get a teat, their squeals quickly let her know, and she would rearrange herself so all could suck nourishment.
Loving hogs remained in my blood. When I lived in places where I could raise a few hogs, I did. As I reflected on my boyhood memories, I watched again as my sows gave birth, and the piglets rooted for milk. Mom cared for the little ones by feeding them and by guarding them against strangers.
I’ve seen mother birds do the same, but in a different way. For hours and days, Mom sits on eggs, leaving only briefly for food and water. When her young hatch, she makes hundreds of trips, searching for and then bringing the food back for them. Bugs. Worms. The young wait at the nest with mouths open, and she drops her treasure into their open beaks.
Jesus taught about God’s love by appealing to nature. If a single sparrow doesn’t fall to the ground without God knowing about it, then surely He knows about the fortunes and misfortunes we experience.
God’s love is powerful. A sow can turn deadly if her little ones are threatened. So can a mother bird. Although God may not keep us safe from temporal dangers, He ultimately controls what comes into our lives and will protect us eternally in heaven.
God’s love has no end and is repetitious. As long as they are together, sows love their pigs. So do birds. God’s love has no boundaries.
God’s love also leads Him to act on our behalf. As sows and birds provide for the ones they love, so God acts in our best interests. Everything He does helps us accomplish His plan and enjoy the life He has created for us.
If you doubt God’s love, just look at a hog or a bird.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author. He serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net and is an instructor for the Christian PEN (professional editor’s network). Wiles is a multi-published author. His most recent book, Hurt, Hope and Healing: 52 Devotions That Will Lead to Spiritual Health, is available on Amazon. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of seven. He can be contacted at [email protected].