I'm fascinated by blue herons. When we visit the Blew's lake cabin, I love to kayak out to the lily pads and strain to find the familiar gray shape of the pencil thin bird standing on the muddy shore. Blue herons are at once alarmingly prehistoric and graceful. Their days are spent standing still, seemingly trying to disappear into the scenery.
I've often thought about the plight of the blue heron as it tries to fade into the woodwork. It spends its life either hiding or using its magnificent 6 foot wingspan to hastily retreat from danger. In the book of Genesis, Hagar ran from the abuse of her mistress, Sarai, and found herself by a desert spring. An angel of the Lord appeared to her and encouraged her with the news of her pregnancy. As she pondered God's mercy, she proclaimed that, "You are the God who sees me...."
Later, after the birth of Isaac, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away. Hagar found herself wandering in the desert again. As she watched her baby languishing in the desert sun, she couldn't have felt more alone, "BUT GOD heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.' "
Phillip, I can't wait to kayak with you and to be with you the first time that you get to pick out the hazy gray shape of a blue heron in the distance. I can't wait to affirm that God has SEEN you all of these years and that He has HEARD your cries for a family. I believe that God has GREAT plans for your life and I'm so thankful that Dad, Brit, Kyle, and I have the privilege of seeing firsthand how HE will lift you up and take you by the hand! :) Mom
No comments:
Post a Comment