This summer I have been leading a five week Adult Study on Creation.  We've talked about the different aspects of creation, why God created, and what our role is in the creation.  One of the interesting topics that keeps coming up is whether animals experience the presence of God.  Some come down against this idea, while others think animals do have an awareness of God.  We challenge each other and respectfully hold different opinions, which is one of the joys of Adult Studies.

Personally, I think animals have some awareness of God's presence.  One of the ways I experience God is through my relationships with animals.  I believe God created us with the capacity to feel love for each other as well as all aspects of creation.  If that is the case, why would God not create animals with the capacity to feel that love as well?  Perhaps animals even experience God Moments! 

I recently read a story about a farmer who struggled with drought.  She prayed for her fields and lamented the high cost of hay.  At the same time she prayed for the deer who were also struggling in the drought.  She wrote, "God answered my prayer in an unexpected and unwelcome way.  The deer began to eat our very expensive hay...Earlier I had prayed for God to give them something to eat; now I was asking God to do so in a way that would be of no cost or consequence for me."  The farmer used this experience to learn about giving to help the needs of others ~ even animals.  I wonder if the deer experienced finding the hay as a God Moment!

There is no way to know for sure if animals have an awareness of God.  They can't answer our questions or attend our Adult Studies.  Yet, the prophet Isaiah speaks the Word of God saying:

"The wild animals honor me,
    the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen
    the people I formed for myself
    that they may proclaim my praise."
~ Isaiah 43:20-21 

What do you think?  Do animals experience God moments?