Kids help me laugh. My grandson said, "Grandpa, you're bald. You look extinguished."
Animals help me laugh, too. If you've seen a naked mole rat or a hairless cat, you know God has a sense of humor.
Then there's the platypus. I can picture God designing the prototype as angels look on in wonder: "I'll give it a body with flippers on its feet, a little like a beaver. Then, why not a duck head? And have it lay eggs. That will amuse and confuse the humans."
I imagine God saying, "The elephant needs something special. I'll make her nose seven feet long and put fingers on the end so she can grab stuff."
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. (Okay, that was a bad joke.) They tower over the other animals and half their height is in their neck. Though impossibly gangly and awkward, the giraffe can gallop at 60 kilometres an hour.
It must be nice being a giraffe. Sure, your jokes go over everyone's head, but they 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. Humans would pass out if we tried this.
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 up to 20 feet for a swig, a complex system kicks in. Its blood vessels are 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." Or, as we know, the giraffe was designed carefully, perhaps 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. All things were created for his pleasure. And when I look at giraffes 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 favorite pastime, don't you? Fly fishing.
Phil Callaway is author of Laugh Like a Kid Again. His youngest grandson (Ezra) enjoys making him laugh. Visit him at philcallaway.com
