My grandson told me recently, “Grandpa, you’re bald. You look extinguished.” 

Kids help me laugh. Animals, too. Have you seen a naked mole rat? Or a hairless cat? Both provide ample evidence that God has a sense of humour. 

Of Platypuses and Pachyderms

The platypus is another amusingly absurd creature. 

I can just picture God designing the prototype as angels look on in wonder: “Right, so I’ll give it a body with flippers on its feet, a little like a beaver. And then, why not a duck head? And have it lay eggs. That will amuse and confuse the humans.”

The first time I saw a tiny seahorse, my eyes widened and I laughed out loud. I could just imagine God saying, “Let’s give it a long curly tail, a horse head, and the dads will give birth. I’m serious, Gabriel. And the elephant needs something special. I’ll make her nose seven feet long and put fingers on the end so she can grab stuff.”

A giraffe makes a great friend. He’ll stick out his neck for anyone. PHIL CALLAWAY

Engineering Nightmare ...

Perhaps the most bizarre creature I’ve seen is the giraffe. They grow up to 18 feet, but you can only see four of them. (OK, that was a bad joke.) They tower over the other animals and half their height is in their neck. Looking impossibly gangly and awkward, the giraffe can gallop at 60 kilometres an hour without falling over.

It must be nice being a giraffe. Sure, your jokes go over everyone’s head, but they sure look up to you. And a giraffe makes a great friend. He’ll stick out his neck for anyone. 

Surveying its domain there in Giraffic Park, the terrific giraffe enjoys lunch in the treetops. But when it bends to take a drink, its neck poses a huge problem. Think about it. In order to sip water, a giraffe’s 18-foot-high head must descend all the way to the ground. Its 25-pound heart must pump blood down the length of its necktie, and when the giraffe stands, that heart suddenly switches gears and pumps up against gravity. It’s an engineer’s nightmare. Humans would pass out if we tried this. 

... Or Engineering Marvel

But though this startling change in pressure should cause the giraffe’s brain to explode, it doesn’t. 

Turns out that when the giraffe dips down for a swig, a complex system kicks in. It involves blood vessels uniquely designed with reinforced walls, a cushioning web, sensor signals to moderate the pressure and bypass valves that stop the blood from flowing backward and pooling. 

This intricate system keeps the giraffe from passing out when it lifts its head back up in the air. Just imagine how many giraffes blew their minds before this incredible system evolved. 

Wonders of Creation

Or, perhaps, just maybe, the giraffe was designed carefully with love and blueprints, a grin and a twinkle. You know, my son’s room never seemed to clean itself when neglected, so it seems a giant leap of faith to think that creation’s stunning complexity is the result of anything less than the work of a master artist.

The Bible says God spoke all things into existence. From galaxies to glow-worms. All things were created by Him, and for Him, including you and me. And when He was finished, He was very pleased. All things were created for His pleasure. And when I look at giraffes, duck-billed platypuses and elephants, I can’t help but feel that pleasure, too.

And don’t get me started on the spider. Eight legs. Eight eyes. And how does it catch its lunch? With a rope that comes out its backside. And you know a spider’s favourite pastime, don’t you? Fly fishing.

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