GENET JACKSON!!!

    ‘Large Spotted Genet’ photo by Fayika Asalkaih on CC SA 2.0.                 

Ever heard of a Genet?  It is a cat-like animal found in Africa, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France and Western Arabia.  (See photo above).   They weigh 4-5 pounds and are 16-24 inches in length, are nocturnal and have big eyes and big ears to help them hunt at night.  Their tail is as long as their body.  If threatened, they raise the crest on their back, fluff their tail and bare their teeth just like a domestic cat.            

Biologists distinguish them from domesticated cats saying, ‘they are more primitive!’  Not sure what that means, but apparently, they don’t make good pets.  I first saw one on a video posted by a couple of astonished biologists who witnessed some extremely odd behavior for a Genet.  It was riding on the back of a Rhino!!!  These crazy biologists nicknamed the Genet, Genet Jackson, hence my title.  At first, they were dumbfounded that the Genet was riding on the back of a Rhino.  They later discerned that the Genet had invented a new way to get an easy meal!!  As the Rhino eats vegetation, it disturbs insects that then become a meal for the hitchhiking Genet.  Sort of a snatch and grab operation.  When I watched this video, it made me think of the scripture found in Galatians 6:2, ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.  Will the Rhino be added to the list of ‘burden bearers’ remains to be seen.  Certainly, camels, horses, mules, donkeys, and yaks qualify.  It’s interesting because each of these animals are used depending on environmental conditions.  The camel on one end of the spectrum and the yak on the other.  If you need help crossing a desert, use a camel.  It can withstand high temperatures.  If you need help climbing Mt. Everest, use a yak.  It can withstand low temperatures.

These animals do immeasurable ‘burden bearing’ and are an inspiration to us all. In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul admonishes us to be just like them, willing to take on the burdens of others.  In doing so we will fulfill the law of Christ which of course is to ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
And to love your neighbor as yourself.’  Matthew 22:37,39.
However, he also tells us, ‘Each one should carry their own load.’  Galatians 6:5. Which means whenever possible, we should take responsibility for our own burdens.

It has become abundantly clear as my wife and I age, that we could use some help.  My children do what they can, but they have their own lives and children to raise.  I read an article entitled, ‘How the elderly are treated around the world’ featured in ‘The Week’ .com.  Did you know that in some countries they have enacted laws to protect the elderly?  

‘China passed an ‘Elderly Rights Law’ that wags a finger at adult children, warning them to “never neglect or snub elderly people” and mandating that they visit their elderly parents often, regardless of how far away they live. The law includes enforcement mechanisms, too: Offspring who fail to make such trips to mom and dad face potential punishment ranging from fines to jail time.

It’s difficult to imagine such an Elderly Rights Law being a legislative priority in many Western cultures. France did, however, pass a similar decree in 2004 (Article 207 of the Civil Code) requiring its citizens to keep in touch with their geriatric parents. It was only enacted following two disturbing events, though: One was the publication of statistics revealing France had the highest rate of pensioner suicides in Europe, and the other was the aftermath of a heat wave that killed 15,000 people — most of them elderly, and many of whom had been dead for weeks before they were found.’

We could certainly do more to ‘Bear the burdens’ of our elderly in this country, including me. Got any ideas?

LET THIS POST STIR YOUR HEART!

If you want to see the Genet (Nicknamed Genet Jackson) hitch a ride on a Rhino, click on the following link.  ‘This Genet and Rhino Share a Surprising Friendship’/Extraordinary Animals.