I'm not sure how all this fragmented information fits together into a cohesive message about being content, but somehow I feel that it does. You be the judge, I guess.
For the past month of so, I've been noticing this pink bird that hangs out in the retaining pond by my house. In ten years - I've never seen a bird like this. We live on a golf course and I suppose our proximity to the Gulf Coasts results in a high number of very interesting wildlife literally steps from my front door. There are ducks that refuse to get out of the way of the cars that come zooming down the street. The ducks just act annoyed and very slowly waddle out of the way when you honk at them. Turtles with shells 18 inches in diameter splash when I walk by and snowy white egrets and blue herrings are commonplace. Nutria that resemble huge beavers make rare appearances, but I see them. And...the squirrels. Lots and lots of squirrels. And the deer. It's like Wild Kingdom out there if you can stand the heat.
I have a friend how likes to run in the heat of the day. I don't know why I agree to join her - probably because it's easier to run in the heat with someone you can talk to than it is to run alone in the morning. Besides, I'd have to get up early. Anyway..it's usually when I'm out running or walking that I see the pink bird.
I'm not sure why but I'm obsessed with the pink bird. When I see it - I squeal with delight like a 2 year old that likes cows. My friends have begun to make fun of me now. The first time I saw it - I stopped and took off my sunglasses because I thought - hey - that bird looks pink. It was. It kind of looks like a flamingo, but it's not. It has a red stripe down the side and a spoon bill. It's really cool when it takes off in flight. It has a huge pink wingspan. It's glorious when it takes off and you can really get the full effect of its pinkness. (uh...you know what I mean.)
So - in describing the pink bird to my stepson who is an environmental animal loving kind of guy- he said .."oh...it's probably a Roseate Spoonbill" And...it is.
It's a Roseate Spoonbill. The pink bird has a name!
Why am I telling you all this? I don't know. I think because this pink bird gives me so much pleasure. The creativity of God in nature is right outside my front door!
God has revealed certain truths about Himself through nature or the created order.
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Psalm 119:1-6
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:18-21
Nature reveals that God exists and that He is powerful. This testimony is so powerful that no person can claim that he or she knows nothing about God.
And this...all outside my front door!! When I am prone to, on the one hand - self-pity, or....on the other extreme, when I am tempted with self-aggrandizement (I've been wanting to use that word...) - I remember who God is and who I am and that I was created for His pleasure - kind of like that pink bird. I remember that God delights in His creation. And for a brief moment, I am content with all that I have and all that I am.
I have a friend how likes to run in the heat of the day. I don't know why I agree to join her - probably because it's easier to run in the heat with someone you can talk to than it is to run alone in the morning. Besides, I'd have to get up early. Anyway..it's usually when I'm out running or walking that I see the pink bird.
I'm not sure why but I'm obsessed with the pink bird. When I see it - I squeal with delight like a 2 year old that likes cows. My friends have begun to make fun of me now. The first time I saw it - I stopped and took off my sunglasses because I thought - hey - that bird looks pink. It was. It kind of looks like a flamingo, but it's not. It has a red stripe down the side and a spoon bill. It's really cool when it takes off in flight. It has a huge pink wingspan. It's glorious when it takes off and you can really get the full effect of its pinkness. (uh...you know what I mean.)
So - in describing the pink bird to my stepson who is an environmental animal loving kind of guy- he said .."oh...it's probably a Roseate Spoonbill" And...it is.
It's a Roseate Spoonbill. The pink bird has a name!
Why am I telling you all this? I don't know. I think because this pink bird gives me so much pleasure. The creativity of God in nature is right outside my front door!
God has revealed certain truths about Himself through nature or the created order.
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Psalm 119:1-6
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:18-21
Nature reveals that God exists and that He is powerful. This testimony is so powerful that no person can claim that he or she knows nothing about God.
And this...all outside my front door!! When I am prone to, on the one hand - self-pity, or....on the other extreme, when I am tempted with self-aggrandizement (I've been wanting to use that word...) - I remember who God is and who I am and that I was created for His pleasure - kind of like that pink bird. I remember that God delights in His creation. And for a brief moment, I am content with all that I have and all that I am.
4 comments:
The day after you mentioned this pink spoon billed bird in conversation, I spotted it on my run! She is beautiful. Creepers on the nutria! Eeeew!
And another interesting note about the roseate spoonbill....they mate for life!! I've seen two, so I assume they are husband and wife.
I just refuse to believe the pink birds I see are not flamingos. I have collected flam stuff since I was a kid. I almost ran off the road when I saw the first one here a few months ago. People tell me they are a type of egret, but I just refuse to believe them. They are beautiful, though, whatever they are. And nutria? Well, Darren and I were sitting by the canal the other night and something hit the ladder on our dock. It swam out a little bit and I swear it was a sea lion. D said it might have been a nutria. I like the sea lion idea much better. The thought of some big rat doing laps in my canal gives me the willies.
They are also quite tasty!
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