Rabbit lesson

A few months ago as Bryan was cutting the grass we found a baby rabbit. Isaac caught it and we were keeping it in the garage in a box. He named the rabbit Hippty Hop. After some research I realized that it was best that we put the rabbit back so he could find his mommy. The kids were not happy about this but Bryan and I felt it was the best thing to do. My parents were coming the next day so we decided to let them see the rabbit and then we would let it go. The night before we were going to let it go I brought it in the house and put it in the utility room in its box so that the cat would not bother it in the garage. When we woke up the next morning the rabbit had escaped! It was loose in the house somewhere! This was one of those moments when I wondered what else would happen. We looked everywhere for that rabbit and we couldn’t find him. About mid morning Elijah saw the rabbit run across the living room floor and we caught him under the couch. I was so ready for this rabbit to be released back into the woods. That night we did release it and was glad that the baby rabbit could now find its mommy.

The next day the kids and I were in the back yard playing and a neighbor’s dog was hanging out with us. The dog ran into the woods and then back out chasing a rabbit. He picked up the rabbit in his mouth and ran as fast as he could. When Isaac realized what had happened he took off after the dog and rescued the rabbit. Isaac brought home the rabbit who was missing a chunk of fur. We let the rabbit hang out in his bucket for the day and then released him again.

Now every time we see a rabbit Timothy will say “That looked like Hippty Hop”. The kids have loved watching the rabbits in the yard. Last time sweet ole Daddy cut the grass he left a strip of grass uncut so the rabbits could graze.

About a week or so after Hippty Hop we were out riding bikes and walking in the neighborhood when the same neighbor dog found another rabbit. This time it was a very tiny rabbit. The kids got the dog to release the rabbit but it was breathing its last. Our kids were so upset and sad to see this happen. Bryan and I took the opportunity to share with them that its understandable to get upset when an animal dies but how much more our hearts should be broken over those who die and never have a changed heart. Those people will be eternally separated from God unless they have allowed God to change their heart and have lived a life of doing the Father’s will.

Isaac when he caught Hippty Hop the first time.

Isn't he such a cute little rabbit! :)