Caribou

Rangifer Tarandus with calf (Arctic deer known as “rheindeer” in Eurasia, “caribou” in North America), Author Lukas Riebling (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)

Each spring Arctic caribou migrate north to their traditional calving grounds. The journey north then back again south in the fall runs them approximately 800 miles.

By twos and threes, by tens and thousands, they gather.  Steadily heading in a direction unseen, the caribou cross icy streams and tractless wastes.  Ever watchful for predators, the animals search for tender shoots beneath the snow.

At last they arrive at their destination…as generations have done before them. And newborn calves (protected in their mothers’ wombs all through the cold winter  months) finally meet the world.

Who provides directions to these animals?  Who supplies their nourishment? Who designed their bodies for this climate and this endeavor?  Who engineered their instincts so that calves are born en masse, giving each the best chance for survival?

There is a single answer to all these questions.  And the same God who watches over these creatures with such care watches over us.

“ ‘Or can you mark when the deer gives birth?  Can you number the months that they fulfill?  Or do you know the time when they bear young?’ ” (Job 39: 1-2).

Lord God Almighty, the earth and the creatures upon it shout out Your name.

We are so insignificant, by comparison. And yet You love and redeemed us.  In awe and gratitude, we, too, shout hallelujah!

Amen

Originally posted 2/27/13

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