Ask the Animals

“Ask the animals.” When Job was unable to hear anything that rang true to what he already knew deep within, he replied to his friends, “Ask the animals”.

Similarly, when words fall flat before us, we might consider the ways of furry, feathered and scaly ones. Like Job, if we believe that Sacred calls out to us from everything, we can garner advice or support from creation.

Armadillo-clouds recently reminded me of the brilliant lessons of an odd, awkward creature. In Spanish, armadillo means little armored one.

Until I lived Armadillo’s insights, I was amused. Its appearance of overstated protection seemed to offer little more than comic relief for long nighttime drives. But after Armadillo guided me through several situations requiring stout personal boundaries, I found respect.

Armadillo’s wisdom turned out to be helpful as I discerned. I could engage a difficult person or group with an outstretched arm, because like Armadillo’s shell, the hand of my other arm, guarded my heart.

Armadillo opened the way to objectivity. I could choose to stay in contrary situations and dress each morning with the necessary armor or compassionately let go of detrimental relationships without the drama of a long, drawn out process.

Compassionately let go:

Compassionately – because armadillo humbles us with laughter over our unimportance

Let go – because armadillo embodies the value of protecting the tender sacred, within

Armadillo not only offers guidance through protection, but also through enlightenment. Since they are known for digging deeper and discovering things below the surface, allowing Armadillo to accompany us on pilgrimage, is accepting an invitation down to another layer.

Armadillo shows us that going deeper may mean destroying pretty little gardens. As we find what is underneath the surface, our questions may begin to challenge our own comfort levels, testing the outer status quo, as well.

Ask the animals, allowing Creation to choose which ones to call. Be prepared for a surprise. The lessons may be as entertaining as they are poignant.

Sacred Ruminations*