Have you ever heard an animal rustling around after dark? Last night my husband and I heard a commotion in our neighbor’s yard. Their fruit trees are often visited by hungry deer, elk, and even black bears. My husband grabbed the spotlight (we keep one within reach for such occasions ;) ), we walked outside, and he pointed it toward the sounds.

 

“I see eyes in the tree,” my husband told me. I looked closer and saw two shining eyes staring back—a raccoon! The cute striped face stared back at us from within the branches. We turned off the light and left the raccoon to its apple-thieving activities.

 

Using a light is a good way to see animals at night, not only because it lights them up but because many mammals have eyes that shine back. Their eyes are not truly glowing, but rather reflecting light like a mirror. They have a special layer called a tapetum lucidum (pronounced tuh- PEE- tum LOO- sih- dum) near the back of their eyeball that bounces light back.

 

With this design, raccoons and other animals with this special eye design (including deer, cats, dogs, and other mammals) can get the most use out of a little light from streetlights or a full moon. As the light bounces back, they’re able to re-use that light, helping them see better at night. This is a wise design for animals active in the dark, like raccoons!

 

A raccoon, like the one in our neighbor’s tree, does not create light in its eye, it only reflects it. Think about the moon—the moon does not create light, but instead reflects light from the sun. We do the same with God’s light. We don’t produce the light of goodness and love on our own. Instead, we reflect God’s light so others can see his love.

 

Psalm 19:8 says, “The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” As we learn God’s commands and study his Word, the Bible, we can see better—not necessarily to glimpse creatures in the night—but to see the way we should go in life. God’s light illuminates the way ahead of us, helping us know which decisions to make and how to live the abundant life Jesus came to give us (John 10:10).

 

Do you think a raccoon’s eyes will shine if no light is pointed toward them? No, they won’t. They need to be facing the light for their eyes to shine. In the same way, we can only shine God’s love as we turn to face him. How can we do that? By spending time in prayer, studying his word, thinking about his ways, enjoying his creation, worshiping him, and spending time with others who love and follow God. Let’s keep facing God’s light so we can reflect it to the world around us!

“The teaching of your word gives light…” 

Psalm 119:130a (NLT)

Dear God, thank you for creating raccoons that are fun to spot in the night. Help me to face your light each day and shine it for others to see.

Fun Fact:

Despite common beliefs, raccoons don’t wash their food to clean it. Their hands are covered in tiny sensors. When they wet their hands, they can better feel what they are holding and inspect food before they eat it.

Learn more about God's designs in raccoons in my brand-new family devotional: Made to Marvel!

 

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