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"WHEN I IN AWESOME WONDER…"
Michigan's Golden Coast
Graceful Seagulls
Raucous, fighting, clumsy, irritating eater
of scraps and dead fish, until the seagull is in the air, it is not an
impressive bird. But, with air under its wings, it becomes a glorious
reflection of the symmetry and grace of our Creator.
Today I leaned against the wind atop a sixty-foot dune. With the wind
roaring past me, a platoon of seagulls floated past me in perfect formation,
pure white against the gray clouds, moving without flapping their wings,
so slowly I could keep up with them at a slow walk, a picture of peace
and tranquillity in the storm. They thrived in a situation that would
have beaten most birds to the ground exhausted and injured.
Seagulls are scavengers. They are the janitors of the shoreline. They
travel great distance to find food. In fact, I've seen them travel 15
to 20 miles inland to find food in flooded field, or even a dump. But
for safety they often spend the night floating on the water. Many nights,
flocks can be seen heading toward the sunset from their daytime foraging
to sleep in the waves.
I have often wondered where seagulls lay their eggs and keep their young.
The answer is quite striking. You will not find their nests just anywhere
along the shore. They look for very secluded and protected areas. Islands
off the shore such as Manitou Island are a favorite place. Also, secluded
sand dune bluffs, or even in dumps or wastewater treatment lagoons, wherever
there is little traffic and danger.
Upon closer examination they have been created to fill their place perfectly
in the creation. Their shape is highly aerodynamic with streamlined shape
and long, tapered wings that resemble our sailplanes. They can ride the
thermals (or the up drafts) off the dune cliffs of the shoreline for hours
on end without getting tired. Their beaks are made to rip and tear the
flesh of fish washed up on shore. Their webbed feet enable them to move
easily in the water.
Indeed, one is reminded that the Lord changes our hearts to enable us
to soar upon the winds of the storms of life. He equips us to deal with
what ever trials He sovereignly sends upon us. Trials that would dash
to pieces the faithless on the rocks below. In response to pain and suffering,
the Psalmist says, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would
I fly away, and be at rest." (Ps 55:7) I like to picture the seagull
flying into the sunset to rest, safe, rocked to sleep upon the rolling
swells. In fact, to remind me of the Lord's care and protection from the
storms of life I keep a cluster of seagull feathers on my desk, feathers
that I picked up on the beach.
Like
the Seagull
O Lord give me grace to ride the gale,
To soar when my strength will only fail.
Winds and storms in life will come,
So is the promise to Thy chosen ones.
A shallow life of peace I do not desire,
Where storms do not come, nor dangers fire.
Only in storms do my wings sail,
Thy grace I know in the waves of the gale.
The rougher the storm, the higher we sail,
By Thy grace delivered from the fear of hell.
When I, by my strength, would sink and go under,
Enable me on faith's wings to taste of Thy wonder.
By: Deane Wassink (2-1-2001)
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