Won’t Some Bunny Love Me??

I recently got a new bunny named Birch. It’s been a fun experience having a pet rabbit, but it also presents unique challenges from that of owning a dog or a cat. For one, rabbits have very curious minds that encourage them to explore, plus their need to graze drives them to chew constantly. I think I’ve been a pretty good bunny mama though. I give him lots of delicious veggies and special treats, plus an ample supply of hay and pellets. I also try to keep his mind engaged by spending time  with him, offering new toys for him to play with and building cardboard forts for him to explore (aka destroy). But to be honest, it’s not always met with the appreciation I would like. In fact, I’ve never so much as gotten a thank you out of him.

All joking aside, there is a part of me that is trying to win his love. I adore this little rabbit and actually believe that by giving him a good life he’ll figure out who is supplying all the goodies and come to return the adoration. While he truly is a very sweet-tempered bunny, I wouldn’t say I’ve completely won him over yet. Bonding is something that happens as you spend time together over a period of months or even years.

But this got me thinking. Why should I assume that doing nice things for a rabbit will win his loyalty in the long run? This is rarely even effective with people most of the time! If you don’t believe me, I have an excellent witness to attest to this fact. Some know Him as Yahweh, but everyone will at least acknowledge Him one day as God Almighty, the Creator of the Universe. Has anyone poured out kindness on his beloveds as He has? Think of how much He provides for us — our amazing habitat known as Earth and all the riches therein! An incredible variety of food options, the means to create and access toys for our entertainment and an unlimited number of breathtaking places to explore. Yet how often does man consider the source of our abundance and pledge our love and loyalty to The Giver? Some of us do, certainly, but more often than not we all take it for granted. We act entitled to these things and rarely stop to give thanks or devote ourselves to Him as we should, despite His great generosity in providing for us.

So it begs the question, is it reasonable to expect more adoration for my efforts than God Himself receives from me and the rest of mankind — and from the very creature He made for my enjoyment, no less? Simply because I give him some hay and cardboard boxes?? It’s all quite comedic when you stop and think of it, but honestly, I still hope the little guy will fully come around in time. Even more so, I hope all of us do.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” –Romans 1:21