Dolphins are very social animals, even showing friendly behavior toward humans. For instance, people who are friendly with the dolphins have gone to swim at the same spot at certain times of the year, and the dolphins seem to know when they will be there. Swimming among the people, they seem very friendly, even with some people they have not seen before, but remembering others and swimming up close to them for a friendly pat or hug.
Tourists in the Bahamas told a story of finding dolphins swimming around them, some even coming alongside and welcoming their gentle strokes. One of the ladies 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. Dolphins have been seen playing this kind of game with pieces of seaweed.
The most amazing thing that has happened many times is the help dolphins have given to people in danger of drowning. A sailor who had to abandon a sinking ship told this story: 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 way dolphins get along with one another and their help to humans is remarkable and perhaps makes some of us ashamed that we do not show more kindness 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 Savior of all who put their trust in Him. Has His kindness won your heart?
(to be continued)
Messages of God’s Love 3/26/2023