09/22/2026
A photo dump of nature and pets over the last month 😃
When the pets are following us around, getting into whatever we are working on and are quite happy to be with us, I think back to Genesis when God gave Adam the Garden and all the creatures to take care of.
Genesis 2: 18 - 20
"Now the Lord God said, “It is not beneficial for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] [i]suitable and complementary for him.” So the Lord God formed out of the ground every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. And the man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable (a companion) for him."
Now from here we are introduced to Eve and we all know that she was formed from Adam's rib and it was the perfect match made in heaven (quite literally).
But let's reverse and focus on the passage about the time before Eve. God said Adam shouldn't be alone and needed to have a helper, so he made all the creatures of the Earth and brought them to Adam to find the perfect companion. We don't know the time length this took, perhaps scholars have theories, but I can imagine going through all the kinds of animals would take a while. This may be my imagination running with my impression of scripture, but it is fun to ponder about. Adam met them and then named them. Now when you get a pet you think awhile on a good name for it. A lot of times you have to get to know their personality to find the proper name. Same thing usually happens when giving a name to a child. You might meet someone's kid or pet and think to yourself that they picked a horrible name 😂 but it was the name that they felt in their souls was correct and what their child or pet shouod be known as. So I don't think it is so far fetched to presume Adam probably spent time with these creatures to see if he felt that special connection to them and to see what kind of name they should be given. The one verse specifically describes him naming birds of the air, every animal of the field and livestock. Already there were animals put into this specific category of livestock that after the fall we humans would gravitate towards to keep, care for, breed and harvest for consumption and livelihood. Ever wonder why modern livestock were the species picked to be domesticated? I have and I like to think God already knew the fall would happen and so He in all His glory and wisdom, created animals specifically designed to be domesticated by us for our companionship and benefit. Benefit not just to eat and survive, but emotionally as well.
Anyone who has bonded with an animal cannot deny they too have emotions and personalities and sometimes we are lucky enough to be the human they pick as theirs to return the bond back. Likewise, some of us have experienced trying to bond with an animal and it just not clicking. People may lie, but animals never do and if they don't like you they are not afraid to express it.
All this long rant to say, I imagine Adam working in the garden alongside the animals bonding with them, playing in the sunshine, playing in the refreshing creeks. Running, jumping, chasing, giggling in pure bliss. In a bliss we cannot fathom because Eden had no death, no fear, no tribulation. Even after Eve was created, both she and Adam cared for the garden and the creatures because if was God's original design. Genesis 2: 15 clearly states "So the Lord God took the man [He had made] and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it."
God's original design was all His creatures working in harmony together and I think those of us with animals are blessed enough to get a glimpse of this. Though we deal with the consequences of the fallen sin bearing world; troubles and trials and sickness and death and disappointments. However when our critters are following us around while we work on projects, when a honey bee is tasting a flower you labored to grow, when your horse or cow call to you in excitement when they see you, when your dog runs to great you when you get home, or the chickens sing to you when they want treats......I see a glimpse of peace, a glimpse of heaven and know that I am tasting a bit of what Adam had in the Garden of Eden and what those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will have in the eternal Heaven.
