This is the somewhat true story of an older seagull that resides somewhere in the vicinity of Pemaquid, Maine.
He had always been active. He loved to fly, to fish, to dive, to compete with the young gulls for the choice bits of food. But time passed, and he realized that he didn’t feel the need any more to overachieve. His wings and feet were a little cranky, and he felt happy just walking up and down Pemaquid Beach on a quiet day. He occasionally flew and got his food, but mostly, he walked and looked and was.
And he was happy.
The younger seabirds shook their heads and thought, “We will never be old and boring like that.”
But he wasn’t boring; he was just happy with his beach.
I watched this bird for a long time as I sat on Pemaquid Beach a few weeks ago. And as I watched him walk along the shoreline, I hoped sincerely that he wasn’t injured. I couldn’t see anything untoward. Mostly, he just seemed content and happy.
I have no idea what it would be like to be a sheep. To live in a field 24/7. To eat grass all day. To be rained and blown upon by the wind. To walk around on very small legs with a very fluffy body.
As I looked upon them, I felt I could think what they were thinking. But I know I cannot. It is outside of my understanding.
So much of life, of God, of eternity, is past my understanding. For now, I am the outside observer, doing my best to understand, but really, it is past me. But one day, I will understand. For “…we will be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1John 3:2b)
I will be on the inside track. With Jesus and those who have gone before. Amazing thought. Knowing me, I will go up to a sheep and say, “Hey, tell me all about how it is to be you.” 😉 And hopefully, I can find a lovely bird somewhere who will let me fly along with him and see how that feels as well.
Praying you and your family and friends have had a blessed Christmas. Enjoy this wonderful story by Paul Harvey, 1965, “The Man and the Birds.”. Blessings, Lisa
The little bird had grown up free. She ate the best food, learned to fly with good bird parents, sat by the waves’ edge and rested. She skimmed lightly over the water and dove down and caught fresh fish. She was happy.
One day, she flew farther along the shore and saw a line in the sand. On the other side of that line, the beach was very different. It caught her eye. At first glance, it looked like fun to the little bird. A party of birds gathered, loud noises, littered bags of used fries for the taking. She was nervous, though, and turned back to her home. As she flew, she felt her lungs breath freely in the clean air and the wide-open spaces.
But the lure of the exciting and different called her back the next day. She didn’t tell anyone; she just went. She gathered up her courage and landed among the loud birds. She tried to fit in and act like she was one of them. She boldly grabbed a fry, liked it, and then grabbed another. She stayed all day, bumping into other birds, even fighting over a choice morsel of trash.
By the end of the day, though, she felt strange and weighed down. She knew she had to go home, immediately, while she still could. She couldn’t describe it….it was just a feeling of impending danger.
She flew somewhat sluggishly, and finally made it back over the line in the sand. She slept badly all night and awoke feeling even worse. The little bird promised herself not to do that again.
It took time, but after some days, she felt better, more herself, freer. She flew as she did before and felt joy in chasing the waves. She was home, and it was good.
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This story came about due to a book I was reading the past two days. It was very well reviewed, excellently written. I was instantly catapulted into this imaginary world created by the author, and I loved it. Couldn’t put the book down. But suddenly last evening, it changed. New plot elements were introduced that I knew would displease God. It felt dirty, wrong, and all I knew was that I had to stop reading immediately. No matter how good the book was, no matter how much I wanted to know how it ended. It just made me feel bad inside, and extremely sad. The loss of purity in our culture hit me like a brick wall. The book has gone back to the library, and I feel better. Like the bird, that was my line in the sand.
Stay strong, friends. Pray that Christ holds us very tightly through these perilous days.
Blessings, Lisa
“…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” – 2 Corinthians 7:1b
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Think About These Things 