Mom and I have spent a lot of hours “in the field”this winter—looking for Sandhill Cranes and the occasional Whooping Crane.
But we have come to realize there is so much more “out there” than our migratory friends. We also have had some amazing eagle sightings. We love the obvious sightings. The guy that flew across the road right in front of my windshield and then circled around to the unfortunate squirrel who would be lunch later. The huge eagle who was sitting on the ground in the Bottoms giving us a great look. He then casually flew across the field to land even closer!
We also have had those moments when we saw a big, black bird in the sky and couldn’t decide if it was a buzzard or an eagle. Apparently young eagles do not develop the white on their heads and tails until they are around 5 years old. Novice eagle watchers need to learn how the raptors fly and act to be sure what they are seeing.
There’s an obvious spiritual parallel to trying to discern what we’re seeing. If you see 3, 4, 5 big black birds, you know you’re seeing vultures. If there are 20 or 30 or more gathering around dusk in the same spot, it’s obvious—vultures. If you see a bunch of great hulking birds hunched over and perched in the same tree? Vultures.
Spiritually speaking, there are a lot of vultures out there. And we all know what vultures do.
But should we have the opportunity to find a truly spiritual and soaring soul who helps us connect with the Holy? Those encounters are precious and priceless.
Let’s see if we can soar with the eagles instead of hulking around with the buzzards and doing what they do.
Thoughts From the Garden 