I love watching Animal Planet. Tonight we enjoyed Growing up…first Hyena and then Walrus. I’m always amazed to observe wild babies raised by humans and be re-introduced to their own kind. We felt bad when Homer, a little hyena died mysteriously. We rejoiced when a young walrus named Narius started enjoying the company of some much bigger girl walruses…laughing when they had a brief water fight.

It is at times like this I wonder what it was like to be Adam…when animals didn’t fear man and he got to name them. Today hanging out with jaguars, giraffes, and rhinos is usual to most of us…it’s possible it was Adam’s norm. Did he hold a panda in his arms? Did a raccoon ride on his shoulders?

I know a little about raccoons riding on shoulders. Years ago, we rescued, raised, and released a young raccoon we named Fearless. He liked to nibble on my ear lobes and deflty removed my pierced earrings to get them out of his way without injurning me or damaging the jewelry! Later, we did the same for a family of five babies whose mother died when their eyes weren’t open yet. For a time, we had the privilege of raising these critters to adulthood and then setting them free to be the wild ones they were created to be.

They always wanted a hug or two before bedtime and when they woke up. It wasn’t a problem to get up at 5AM to give them breakfast, fresh water, and hugs before they’d sleep for the day. We treasured our time with them in the evening when they were just waking up - ready to romp and rough house.

In a year or so, I will release a new children’s book about these five raccoons whose lives we shared for eleven months. They were charming…cute…and most of all…wild. We treasure the time we spent with them…and the joy of seeing them in the forest.

We don’t know if they survived and thrived. We had to trust their Maker for their safe-keeping. But either way…we knew one thing for sure - one day in the wild was better for them than several years in captivity. It’s like that with us and our gifts/talents - if we celebrate them even for one day we know the joy of true freedom and that beats the captivity of not believing we are worthy…or talented…or gifted.

So…like the young hyenas and walruses we watched…and the baby raccoons who grew up in our care…what if you dare to be who you are created to be too - a person of purpose and significance. It takes courage…and you won’t know ahead of time how it’s going to work out…but you will know what it is like to to use them to touch the lives of one or two…or many more. The more I dare to be me amazing things happen…I get to do the things I love to do with confidence…my husband, family, and friends love me more…and oh my - I like me. Will you survive and thrive? Can you really lose if you chose to BE YOU…to BE LOVED…to BELIEVE?

Today Jon took me to Michael’s for my birthday lunch. I savored my favorite sandwich and delicious coffee. I enjoyed the ambiance. Jon and I talked at a heart level. I didn’t just eat…I dined.

This past week in my First Place book Bev Henson’s devotional titled Dining With God stood out. She quoted Maurice Chevaliaer who once said, “I never eat when I can dine.” Bev ends the piece by saying, “Enter in and enjoy your dining experience with God.” I did that today.

That same day’s journaling assignment was: Write about how it would make you feel to actually dine with God. What would you say to Him? How would you feel?

My answer: Oh my. Well, first of all someone else would have to do the cooking - I have no idea what Jesus would like to eat…and I’d be too nervous to even consider cooking for God. I know He would sit very near me - so I could hold His hand when I thanked Him for the food. The water would refresh me totally. The food would be delicious (in part because I hadn’t cooked it!). The Bread of LIfe would fill me completely.

I know I’d feel safe. And loved. I’d want to ask Him what it was like when the Word was God during Creation Week. I’d want Him to tell me about hanging out with the disciples and I know that like John, I’d want to rest my head on His shoulder. He wouldn’t mind. I’d want to know more about the woman at the well…the woman caught in adultery…and about Peter’s mother-in-law. I know that when I thanked Him for the Cross, He’d wipe away my tears. I might even clap my hands as we talked about His return. Because He would know my insecurities…I think He’d reassure me that He thinks I’m beautiful…I might say, “Oh Jesus - really?” I imagine Him saying, “Yes.” Not to be obnoxious but because it’s really hard to believe I’d ask, “Are You sure?” He would smile and say, “Yes. I made you…so I’m sure.” I’d believe Him…and do what little girls who feel beautiful do - I’d twirl for Him!

We’d eat and laugh and cry. I’d remind Him about the needs of my loved ones and thank Him for loving them more than I do or can imagine.

Today I dined with my beloved husband and God was honored. You see my man prayed and thanked our God for the food…and for me. We talked about His Word and the Christ of Christmas. The food was delicious. The company was precious. And the Bread of Life joined us. Oh my - how we dined.