Today’s Post Written By: Rhonda Stinson
A recent news story emerged about an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. When an elephant arrives here, it immediately seeks out another elephant as its best friend. The relationship between Tara and Bella is one of the most unique and amazing relationships I’ve seen. Tara is an elephant, and Bella is one of the many stray dogs that call the sanctuary home. The unlikely friends would eat, sleep, and play together.
Bella (the dog) had been retained at the lodge for three weeks because of a spinal cord injury. Her friend Tara stood at the gate post below the lodge and stood vigil the entire time. One of the staff members carried the dog to the balcony of the lodge just to show the elephant that the dog was doing well. The dog’s tail began to wag joyously when she saw her elephant friend. Tara reached her trunk through the bars and actually patted the dog. After her recovery, Bella was released to go back with the elephants where she and Tara ran and frolicked together. Bella rolled over onto her back and the elephant lifted up its monstrous leg and allowed the dog to paw at the bottom of its foot. What a bond of love!
David and Jonathan shared a very special relationship. “Now when David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul”. King Saul, Jonathan’s father hated David and made numerous attempts to kill him. David had the chance to kill Saul, but spared his life. “And he (David) said to his men, ‘The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.’” I Samuel 24:6
Their bond of love was glued together by God Himself. Jonathan risked his life and his future as king in order to continue his brotherly relationship with David. Jonathan loved David so much that he gave him his robe, armor, sword, bow, and his belt. Jonathan had much and gave much.
We all have someone special who loves us far above the godly love between Jonathan and David. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
God’s love is “infinity times infinity”. His love for us is unchanging.
Is it hard for you to love a person who is unloving, unkind, deceitful, or argumentative? If so, you’re not alone. Pray God will give you the strength to love those around you with a godly love. It might involve speaking the truth in love, mending broken fences, forgiving, or even apologizing for your own sinful actions, but it is possible.
May we strive to knit our hearts together in love, peace, and unity!