Last week we commented on the friendly nature of dolphins, not only among themselves, but also with people. For instance, people who are friendly with the dolphins often swim at the same spot at certain times of the year, and the dolphins seem to sense when they will be there. Swimming among the people, they are as friendly as pet dogs, even with some people they have not seen before, but definitely remembering others and swimming up close to them for a friendly pat or hug.
A group of tourists in the Bahamas also told how they found dolphins swimming around them, some even coming alongside and welcoming their gentle strokes over their smooth bodies. One of the ladies, swimming among them, tossed her bright red scarf into the water and then promptly snatched it up and swam a short distance with it. Sure enough, the dolphins immediately showed an interest, and the next time she tossed the scarf one of them immediately grabbed it, and from then on they all joined in the fun. They never tried to take the scarf away from another dolphin, but in a short time it would drop it and, quick as a wink, several would go after it. They seemed to enjoy playing this game, and the swimmers and dolphins stayed with it for four hours. Actually it seemed to give them something new to do, and some were seen later playing the game with pieces of seaweed.
These pleasant experiences are becoming more and more common at beaches in the Bahamas, along the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to the southern tip of Florida, and probably along South American shores as well.
The most amazing thing that has happened numerous times is the help these kind creatures have given to people in danger of drowning. A sailor who had to abandon a sinking ship related a typical instance. Jumping fully clothed into the ocean quite a distance from shore, he found the water rough and soon gave up hope of making it to shore. Suddenly he felt a gentle but strong support underneath him. To his amazement, it stayed with him all the way to shallow water where he could stand. Then he finally saw his rescuer—a large dolphin—heading back to deep water.
The manner of life and kindness of dolphins is remarkable and perhaps makes some of us ashamed that we do not show more of it to others. But there is a kindness that far outshines all others, expressed by our loving Lord in our opening Bible verse. That love took Him, the Creator of all, to Calvary's cross, where, through a cruel death, He became the Saviour of all who put their trust in Him. Can you claim Him as your Saviour?
(to be continued)
ML-01/13/2008