All Creatures Great And Small

When I was young, I loved to read books by James Herriot. His books are full of love, for his work as a vet, for his times in Yorkshire, for his courtship and marriage to Helen, for his adventures with Siegfried his boss. I love reading of the beautiful Dales and his long drives along the rolling hills.

Thus it came as no surprise that I choose to visit the place where James Herriot walks over the lovely Lakeside District.

I took the bus to the Dales. A car ambled along peacefully in front of us. Peacefully because the driver was at peace with the world. Thus he drove slowly. I was at peace too, because my boss was 5,000 miles away.

At length, the car stopped. Ahead of the car is empty space. But the road is fit only for one vehicle at a time. Our bus stopped behind the car. The driver came out, waved a cheery hello, opened his boot and started to unload. The driver settled down to a long wait.

Incredible!

.................

When I think of James Herriot, I think of his book "All Creatures Great And Small".

And the underlying hymn from whence the title came:

1. All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

2. Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

All things bright ...

3. The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And order'd their estate.

All things bright ...

4. The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;−

All things bright ...

5. The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,−
He made them every one:

All things bright ...

6. The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;−

All things bright ...

7. He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

All things bright ...

(Amen)

Life on this earth is meant to be beautiful. Animals and Plants are meant to be cared for.

More often we care for gold and diamonds and kill animals for sport and food.

Thus "All Creatures Great And Small" brings us once again to the Creation perspective - where Man is the steward of God's creation. As Alice in Wonderland said, "We are not meant to eat those to whom we are introduced", let us be reminded that God brought the animals to Man and introduced them. He asked Man to name them. Man and animals lived together happily in God's Presence. The lion possibly ate fruits. Man definitely ate fruits. God was happy because there was absolutely no trace of death and decay. The fruits that Man ate, had their seeds dispersed. Creating more life.

Man became the steward of the garden. The process that God initiated: of life giving life, sustained that garden. That day will come again.

Let us care for God's creatures and creation as He meant for them to be cared for.

With love and appreciation.

Not salivation.