GOD KNOWS JUST THE RIGHT TIME

 

by

 

Crystal J. Ortmann

 

 

 

            My house bunny Dusty is used to running all over in the house.  We give him complete freedom, because he doesn’t do bad things like rip out carpet, or eat upholstery like our bunny Cocoa does.  Dusty takes his freedom for granted. 

When he has to be penned up, he lets us know in his own wordless way that he is not pleased.  Dusty’s behavior deteriorates and he throws himself against the screen in his cage.  He thumps at us.  He growls (yes, they can growl).  He hides.  He tries to escape.  This guy is angry.  Can rabbits glare?  Oh, you bet they can!  Our placid little furry guy hates us.

We don’t pen him in to punish him.  Dusty is ill and needs medication three to four times a day.

 He hates being held.  In fact, when cradled safely in our arms, he struggles mightily to get away.  He is very independent (even more-so than a cat!) and takes great exception to us messing with him if he hasn’t first given his okay.

            After days of trying to escape confinement, our bunny hides. He quits eating for a bit.  He is in the rebellion phase; yet, his therapy continues.

            We know how hard it is for him to go through this trial.  He doesn’t understand and we can’t communicate it in a way he understands.  We simply have to do what’s best for him, whether he understands or not.  He’s in pain and to relieve that pain, we have to inflict some more misery on him.

            Dusty doesn’t know what’s happening.  He doesn’t know that without this medicine, he would not survive.  He sees only the trial he’s going through.  Although we know when and how the trial will end, he doesn’t.

            As the day nears for him to be released, we get excited thinking of how happy he’ll be.  Yet, we can’t tell him.  Finally, deliverance comes and he doesn’t even realize he is free again.  Dusty’s too busy hiding from us to notice the screen that was his prison cage is gone.

            When it occurs to him he is free, he runs out and then promptly hides under the couch.  He doesn’t trust us, yet.  The trial was too intense.  He’s still afraid.

     As I look back at this time, I see a parallel to my relationship with God, especially when I go through difficult times. 

            I struggle against the enforced cage.  I get angry and frustrated.  I stamp and shout—maybe not outwardly, but certainly inwardly.  I mope and cry.  I hide myself away and throw a self-pity-party.  Through various means, I show God my displeasure.  I try to melt His heart with my tears.

            I don’t know when my trial will end, but He does.  I don’t understand why I have to go through certain problems.  He knows when the way I am following will lead to death and destruction and sometimes, just steps in and sidelines me, to save me.

            He surely is filled with joy when He sees the trial coming to an end.  Yet, when it does, I remain frightened and unsure for a while.

            God’s grace is so wonderful.  His wisdom is unmatched.  He knows just what and how long I need certain trials to grow healthy and strong.  He never makes it last one moment longer than it needs to.

            I can trust Him, even when I don’t understand, for He knows.

                                                        Dusty--Our Little Bunny