A Symphony of Frogs
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13 (NIV)
Frogs and toads are not my favorites in the hierarchy of creation, but I find them to be quite fascinating. On a still night out in the country, I do enjoy hearing them in the swampy area across the road. Devon O’Day (All God’s Creatures) shares what he heard in a way that is truly unique.
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I have a chair sitting alone in my backyard that beckons me every evening. One summer night, I felt God’s urge to really listen to the sounds. There were cicadas and crickets, my farm animals making the usual sounds at the feed buckets, and my dogs making zoomies in the backyard. But above all the usual sounds I expected, I heard frogs. Now, I’ve heard the frogs before, but on this special night I paid attention. The deep bass of the bullfrog was echoed by sopranos in the tree. The also and tenor sections of other frog species added more voices. Then together they would crescendo and add sounds of instruments that built to a full-on symphony.
Do you know the thing I noticed most? These varying species of frogs, who were spaced all around me in places I could not see, were singing in the same key. They may be in trees or on logs or by the pond, but they sang in a musical arrangement that made beautiful music. They were not reading a score, but they began and ended in rhythm, and I felt the piece moving me from deep within my heart. When I listen to the sound of God in my own spirit, it blesses me, brings my blood pressure down, and gives me a feeing of euphoria I can’t explain except that it brings me to the connection of praise all living creation has with its Creator. That is my peace place.
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I know you are probably thinking: This can’t be real, or maybe how do frogs get picked for a devotion? Well, if the rocks can cry and praise God, I see no reason why frogs can sing a symphony!
Loving Father, we thank You for the part that all creatures play in this world. Help us to recognize their songs of praise and to make ours even louder and more pleasant to Your ears. AMEN.