We are happy to comment on the friendly nature of dolphins, not only among themselves, but with people as well. For instance, often people who are friendly with the dolphins swim at the same spot at certain times of the year, and the dolphins seem to sense when they will be there. Swimming among the people, they are as friendly as pet dogs, even with some people they have not seen before, but definitely remembering others and swimming up close to them for a friendly pat or hug.
A group of tourists in the Bahama Islands also told how they found dolphins swimming around them, some even coming alongside and welcoming their gentle strokes over their smooth bodies. One of the ladies, swimming among them, tossed her bright red scarf into the water and then promptly snatched it up and swam a short distance with it. Sure enough, the dolphins immediately showed an interest, and the next time she tossed the scarf one of them immediately grabbed it and from then on they all joined in the fun. They never tried to take the scarf away from another dolphin, but in a short time it would drop it and, fast as a wink, several would go after it. They seemed to enjoy playing this game, and the swimmers and dolphins stayed with it for four hours. Actually it seemed to give them something new to do, and some were seen later playing the game with pieces of seaweed.
These pleasant experiences are becoming more and more common at beaches in the Bahama Islands, as well as along the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to the southern tip of Florida, and no doubt along South American shores as well.
The most amazing thing that has happened several times over the years is the help these kind creatures have given to people in danger of drowning. A typical instance was related some time ago by a sailor who had to abandon a sinking ship. Jumping fully clothed into the ocean quite a distance from shore, he found the water rough and soon gave up hope of making it to shore. But suddenly he felt a gentle but strong support underneath him. To his amazement it stayed with him all the way to shallow water where he could stand. Then he finally saw his rescuer, a large dolphin heading back to deep water.
The manner of life and kindness of dolphins is outstanding and perhaps makes some of us ashamed that we do not show more of it to one another. But there is a kindness that far outshines all others, expressed by our loving Lord in our opening Bible verse. That love took Him, the Creator of all, to Calvary's cross, where, in a cruel death, He became the Savior of all who put their trust in Him. Can you claim Him as your Savior?
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