“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Sometimes when we hear the word puppy, we imagine a tongue hanging out and lips curved upward. Many people would think of joy. I might groan and think of the little imps and hard work that goes along with them; although, I’ll be oohing and aahing along with everyone else if I can cuddle and hand them back! Now, if I say the word porcupine, what image comes to mind?
How many times have we heard people who take offense easily being referred to as a porcupine? I know I’ve even used that term before, but that’s being a bit unfair to the rodent if you ask me.
I was in the back of the house when my youngest came rushing with the news that there was a porcupine crossing our driveway. I had to see this! I was worried it would be gone by the time I made it to the window, but there it was in all its quilled glory. It was magnificent!
The porcupine gets a bad rap, and I’m going to stick up for them today. When I saw that porcupine, it gave me inspiration and motivation to become a little more like it. It seemed content and worry-free. Even though we’re not supposed to put human emotions on animals, it was what it projected!
Did I need to worry that I’d miss it? Nope! It was in no hurry, and it might’ve even been top speed for that porcupine. It was lumbering along as cool as can be with even a little attitude of happiness. I could just imagine it humming a little ditty while giving a little bop to its head as it’s quills swish, swish, swished across the driveway. That face and cute nose made me happy inside!
Several years ago, I took the boys to see mostly birds and other amazing animals to raise their awareness of the world around them. There was a porcupine there, and when we chose our favorite for the day…that was kind of mine. It wasn’t my imagination, they really are that cool!
As a matter of fact, a porcupine is rarely aggressive. Those quills sure can be dangerous, but they don’t shoot them like so many believe. They’re just trying to protect themselves. They’re even kind enough to warn away the predator or just plain nosy thing that gets too close. They stomp their feet, hiss, and shake their quills.
They are slow and become a target, especially for some nosy dogs. Probably the same ones we were oohing and aahing over! Yes, it isn’t all about the poor, misunderstood porcupine. I know they can be hard on trees and considered a pest, but so can we.
What did this teach me besides wanting to walk around like a happy, content porcupine? It taught me that the world isn’t always as I think. When I trust to see things differently, a whole new world opens up.
The Disney song by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga popped into my head last night, so I read through the lyrics online. I challenge you to take a few minutes and do that too!
A Whole New World
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over sideways and under
On a magic carpet rideA whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we’re only dreamingA whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I’m way up here
It’s crystal clear
That now I’m in a whole new world with youNow I’m in a whole new world with you
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond skyA whole new world (Don’t you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see (Hold your breath, it gets better)
I’m like a shooting star
I’ve come so far
I can’t go back to where I used to beA whole new world (Every turn a surprise)
With new horizons to pursue (Every moment, red-letter)
I’ll chase them anywhere
There’s time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with youA whole new world (A whole new world)
That’s where we’ll be (That’s where we’ll be)
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me
Wow! Put yourself in that song. We’re the princes and princesses…royalty because Who we belong to when we choose the King of Kings as our Father.
When I played the song, it started out with Aladdin asking Princess Jasmine if she trusts him. She had to make a decision. An answer was needed before they could proceed. That’s a decision we all get to make. We get to decide if we trust God, if we believe in Jesus. If we do, we get to see a whole new world. A place of peace; a new fantastic point of view.
Don’t just go along with something you’ve heard. Is the world really as you thought? Don’t take my opinions and others’ words as truth. Search it out for yourself and make an opinion that’s yours after you gather all the information. You might be surprised that something more than information will happen. That’s faith, and the question will be…Do you trust Him?
