The amateur video footage recorded a remarkable scene in Gatlinburg back in 2013: a black bear nervously crossed a Gatlinburg street at a designated crosswalk. Thrilled tourist squealed and reached for their phones to capture the moment. The nervous bear wasted no time in disappearing into the safety of nearby woods, without even stopping for a pound of chocolate.
Bears may be fascinating, but a Be Bear Aware campaign warns humans to avoid interaction with bears, which can be dangerous.
On the other hand, The North American Bear Center dispelled the myth that mother Black Bears are prone to attack humans. Rather, they usually flee with their cubs to seek refuge by climbing trees to avoid potential harm. I’ve always likened myself to a fierce mother bear, when it comes to my kid. I will defend her to my death.
This powerful maternal instinct mirrors the way God feels about us. God, in fact, did die to save us when He sacrificed His one and only Son. He demonstrated love fiercer than a mother’s love, be that a bear or a human.
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15)
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“As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you…”
(Isaiah 66:13a)
Written by: Stephanie Robertson