I love watching the seagulls. I know that not everyone welcomes them; after all they are not always very respectful, especially if you have just washed and waxed your car. They can be pretty pesky if you are planning a picnic by the lakeshore.
Seagulls are the acrobats of the sky; they make what seems to be nearly impossible antics appear effortless as they dive and soar and then float motionless in midair. They are noted for being resourceful, inquisitive and yes, even intelligent with a highly developed social structure, for birds. They are opportunistic feeders, scavengers and always on the alert for an unsuspecting tourist who may leave his lunch to take a picture.
But they are oh, so independent! I watched one day as two gulls spied the same delicacy on the rocks. Now there really was plenty for both of them, but in their self-absorption they each wanted the whole thing. They made a mad dash for their dinner, squawking and trying to keep each other out of the way long enough to scarf up the whole thing. They each got a portion and began tugging, fighting to get what was rightfully theirs. They both refused to give up; neither was willing to share. They didn’t even let go as they took to the air, but their prize was much too heavy for air travel and before long it dislodged from their beaks and fell into the harbor… and they both flew away still hungry.
I’d hate to think we are like the seagulls, but as I watched that particular drama played out on the rocks, I couldn’t help but think about our community over the past couple of years and the tug of war going on over… practically everything. There is so much noise, each one of us tugging like crazy to make sure we get it all, not realizing that there is enough for everyone. If we would quit the squawking and start listening to each other, compromising with each other, respecting each other’s integrity, trying to honestly understand the other and maybe even coming to an agreement as to what is best for the whole flock, the energy of chaos, anger and fear would change to a more loving and gentler place to nest. Just pondering.
Matthew 22: 36-40
Jesus replied: “‘Love
the Lord your God with
all your heart and with
all your soul and with
all your mind.’ This is
the first and greatest
commandment. And the
second is like it: ‘Love your
neighbor as yourself.’ All
the Law and the Prophets
hang on these two
commandments.”
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This week our contributor is Pastor EvaLyn Carlson of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ.
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