Bald Eagle

A few weeks ago, I was sitting at my desk when I got a text from my daughter, who is an administrator for our church’s preschool. She wrote, “Come quick, there is a bald eagle in the parking lot.” Since it is not everyday you see a bald eagle, I ran outside to take a look.

I couldn’t see him at first. He was very high in the trees on the North side of the parking lot there at Mount Vernon United Methodist. But once Justine told me where to look, I spotted him.

I tried to take a picture, but he was too far away to get a good shot. So, I had to settle for standing there awhile admiring him. Such a beautiful creature, the bald eagle. Big and strong and majestic, with distinctive markings that help identify them. White tail and head feathers, a dark brown body and a bright yellow beak. A look on their face that seems to convey intelligence, resolve, and power.

It made me wonder how many times eagles have been in the trees while we have been at Mount Vernon. We’ve been there for a year and a half now. How many times did I walk to my car and not see the eagle because I wasn’t looking for it.

Ever since that day, I have been looking for it each time I drive into or out of the parking lot. I have not seen it again, but preschool staff tell me they have seen it multiple times.

There is a lot we miss in life because we do not know where to look, or we don’t take the time to look: the fox that runs past your window, the full moon on a clear winter evening, the late afternoon sun illuminating the Masonic Temple.

What’s true of eagles is also true of spiritual things. We often miss them because we aren’t paying attention. The quiet nudging of the holy spirit as we worship. The written Word that inspires us at just the right moment. The word of affirmation when we are discouraged.

Think! How have you experienced God this week? God sightings are common, but only if we take the time to look.