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| Jeremy the Mouse |
"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning - the sixth day." Genesis 1:31
On the 4 April 2007, my younger daughter Rebecca wrote:
I recently got myself a pet mouse whom I named Jeremy - a docile, sweet and intelligent creature with a lovely tan coat. I played with this creature daily and was amazed by the different things that he did.
I discovered that mice are amazing creatures. Small and tiny, yet intelligent and full of personality. They cry when upset or stressed - having glands that produce a red and sticky tear-like substance which also serve as a scented warning for other mice not to get into the same troublesome situation. They generally crawl about on their fours but will periodically stand on their hind legs when eating, fighting or orientating themselves; looking adorable when they do so. They are superb jumpers, climbers and swimmers. Do you know that mice will sing and dance to attract their mates? They have interesting rituals. They can also hunt like pack animals in groups and will warn each other of danger.
Studying Jeremy and reading about mice, I realised that God really put a personal finishing touch on these tiny creatures. Mice are just a teeny tiny part of the whole spectrum of animals, plants, earth, sea and sky that make up our world, His creation. God planned the entire global ecosystem, he made the air and oceans, with their careful balance of chemicals; He created the plants to replenish the world with oxygen and to nourish its inhabitants; he made the mice, elephants and all creatures great and small.
Indeed, the creations of God are "very good" and at the end, He made man to be the master of these things but more, to love Him and to serve Him. I see no reason not to do so. If God is able to plan all the complicated parts of an ecosystem, things that even us humans may never fully comprehend, He certainly can make me and ask that I serve Him.
God is good. I see no problem with giving my life to Him. I hope that throughout life, God will plan for and direct me. He is an awfully good planner to me.
On the 25 May 2007, my elder daughter Deborah commented:
Actually, Meimei (Rebecca) has a very special capacity to accept God's creations and to appreciate them at full value, imperfect as they may be. In her post she did not mention that her pet, Jeremy was a three-legged mouse, a reject of the pet shop. When she chose the mouse to be her pet, she did not even notice this 'handicap' - she saw that Jeremy was responsive, happy and full of vitality
To appreciate people and animals for more than their physical and mental attributes, but for their personality and inner beauty is a rare gift.
Lionel Lee commented
As a father, I am very proud that both my daughters have a wonderful gift by which they both have learnt to appreciate God through observing the wonders of His creation. We can be oblivious to God's creative genius in creating the flora and fauna of our world when we should be appreciative. Genesis 1:21 and 24 describes this creative energy,
'So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds and every winged bird according to its kind. And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds; the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground and the wild animal each according to its kind." And it was so.'
We often gloss over these verses but the description of the creation of all creatures great and small portrays abundance and exuberance, as the word 'teems' reveals.
When God created man and woman, he gave them a duty to look after the luscious and abundant world. Genesis 1: 28b and 29,
God said, "Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food."
Some have interpreted this injunction as having dominion and authority over the earth. I think God gave us the responsibility to look after and respect His creation. Hence every Christian has a God-given duty towards conservation and protection of all living things and species. With this, we will become sensitive to God's creative energy which was not only present when the world began but continues as a mighty force at work for the beauty of the earth and all creation. Jesus in Luke 12:27 told us,
"Consider, how wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed as one of these."
It is a blessing to have this special quality and inner sensitivity towards creation and conservation. This is celebrated in a choral anthem written by John Rutter, 'All Things Bright and Beautiful.'
All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things bright and wonderful
The Lord God made them all
Each little flow'r that opens
Each little bird that sings
He made that glowing colors
He made that tiny wings
All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful
The Lord God made them all
The color headed mountain
The river running by
The sunset and the morning
That brightened up the sky
The cold wind in the winter
The pleasant summer sun
The ripe fruit in the garden
He made them everyone
All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful
The Lord God made them all
Cooler Becky
Debbie Lee
and Lionel
Updated from original article written by Rebecca on 9 April 2007
