The birth of a giraffe gives insight to life's trials and hardships. When a calf is born, he falls ten feet and lands on his back. The mother momentarily hovers over the newborn before kicking the baby head over heels. If the calf doesn't get up, he gets another good kick. She repeats this process to stimulate his efforts. Finally, when the little giraffe gets up on his wobbly legs, the mother kicks him off his feet again. To an outsider such behavior seems cruel. To the mother it is an expression of love. This first lesson in life helps the newborn quickly develop the skills needed to move rapidly with the herd when predators are near. Sometimes we feel as though God has no sooner gotten us on our feet when he turns around and knocks us down. The next time that happens, think about the newborn giraffe. God may simply be strengthening you for your own protection in the future.
- Gary Richmond (A View From The Zoo)
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
