The post was on our neighborhood Facebook page, but I really did not need to read the post.  I could tell by simply walking outside and breathing.  Skunk.

It happens a lot in our neighborhood, we have skunks living in the woods and they often come up towards the houses.  We also have lots of dogs.  Put them together and you have days and nights of the pungent aroma. 

As I breathed it in, I pondered a bit.  What is the reason and purpose for a skunk?

It reminded me of a hike we did on vacation.  We were hiking at Hawk Mountain, going over a very rocky and difficult part of a trail.  My wife was about to put her foot into a crevice when she saw the rattlesnake.  The 4-6-foot rattle snake.  And it was heading towards our daughter.  Without thinking, I leaped over the rocks and got to her.  What is the reason and purpose for a rattlesnake?

When I think of certain creatures (for me it is rats), I wonder why they exist?  But then something comes to mind. 

²⁴ And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. ²⁵ God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.  Genesis 1:24-25

God saw that it was good.  God’s creation is good and beautiful and God’ has a reason and purpose for the creation of all, including skunks and rattlesnakes. 

Thanks be to God for a beautiful creation.

Peace,

Pastor Bill