In Praise of Donkeys

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)

Cute and adorable! Yes, I am talking about donkeys. Throughout history, they have had a purpose and have actually served mankind well. Shirley Raye Redmond shares an experience in All God’s Creatures that changed her thinking about these animals—one of God’s creatures. We could all use some fresh insights!

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We were playing a board game with our seven-year-old grandson when Sev declared, “You know what? I’ve never seen a real live donkey.” He went on to explain that his Sunday school teacher shared the story of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem. “But I’ve never seen a donkey except in pictures,” he repeated.

My husband and I knew just what to do. There were stables on the mesa in the north end of town where people boarded horses, donkeys, goats and other livestock. “Would you like to see a donkey?” I asked Sev and his younger sister, Edelweiss, and they nodded their heads vigorously. In less than fifteen minutes, we are cruising the stables where the children were thrilled to see an assortment of goats, sheep, chickens, horses, and yes, donkeys. When we approached the fence, the donkeys moseyed over to greet us. “They are so cute!” Sev declared.

I raised my eyebrows. I’d never really thought of donkeys as being cute or remarkable in any way. But the closer I looked and the longer I watched, the more I became aware of the animal’s beauty. The donkey is not as noble as its cousin the horse, as majestic as the lion, or as exotic as the peacock, but the donkey also serves a purpose in God’s kingdom. I later learned that donkeys are not as dumb as most people think and that there are few creatures that have served mankind as well. Even Jesus, during His time on earth, was well served by this humble animal. I realized, too, that while I will never be a Billy Graham or a Florence Nightingale, who did extraordinary work in God’s kingdom. I can serve the Lord in my own humble way—like the donkey.

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There is an old Spanish proverb that clearly makes sense; you just have to stop and think about it for a moment.  “I would rather have a donkey that can carry me than a horse that throws me.”

All God’s Creatures Got a Place in the Choir

Loving Lord, thank You for each creature. Help us to see individuality and value in all of Your creation. AMEN.