A Muskrat, a Mud House, and a Lesson in Creativity

Have you ever noticed a creature moving through a lake or pond? My family was exploring a pond this week when a moving ripple of water caught my husband’s attention. A brown animal was swimming at the water’s surface. Was it a muskrat or beaver? We weren’t sure. A tell-tale is the tail: muskrats have thin rat-like tails while beavers have flat leathery tails. But we couldn’t see its tail which was beneath the water.

 

The animal neared the grassy shore, then disappeared. My husband had noticed a mound of grass and dirt with a hole nearby, so we walked around for a better look. Sure enough, the animal was moving around inside the hole. It had swam beneath the water, under the grassy edge, and into the underwater entrance of its lodge.

 

After a moment, the animal slipped back into the water and a moment later popped its head above the pond’s surface. Finally, it flipped its tail above the water: a long thin tail! We were watching a muskrat.

 

It was a special treat to see a muskrat in its lodge. Similar to beavers, muskrats build dome-shaped lodges in wetland areas. They use aquatic plants like cattails along with mud to construct their cozy homes.

 

Have you ever created something with grass and mud? Maybe mud cakes or clay bowls? God’s creation is full of wonderful materials to build from, whether you’re a muskrat or a human!

 

God created many animals to construct things, can you think of any animal engineers? Along with muskrats and beavers, birds weave nests, ants excavate tunnels, bees build hives, and termites are masterful architects of their mounds.

 

God created you to create, too! God is the very best creator, and he made you in his image. As you practice creating whether by writing a song, painting, building, inventing, storytelling, or in any other way, you are living in God’s image. You can honor him by creating things that bring him joy and glory.

 

Ephesians 2:10 (NCV) says, “God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.” Some of those good works can be creating wonderful things for others to enjoy! Why not write a worship song, paint a flower, or mold a mud cake today while thanking God for his creation?

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

   establish the work of our hands for us—

   yes, establish the work of our hands.” 

Psalm 90:17 (NIV)

Dear God, thank you for muskrats who love to build. I’m grateful you created me in your image and to make wonderful things. Help me to bless you through my work and creativity today, amen.

Fun Fact:

A muskrat can hold its breath for 12-17 minutes!

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