the heron and the geese

As I settled into some quiet morning time today at the local pond I spied one of the great blue herons as he swooped in, flapping wings like a gangly teenager, yet landing with grace at the water's edge.  Once in position he stood as straight as a stick, and not much wider, and gazed across the pond.  He almost resembled one of those royal guards at Buckingham Palace, with the ramrod posture and beehive hats, that strut across the grounds or stand post by the gates.  I knew, from experience, that if a fish happened to swim below his feet, the heron would spring into action like a trap released with the force of a tightly coiled spring.  He can catch and swallow the unfortunate creature in one swift motion.  But most of the time he stands watch where the pond meets the bank and blends into the foliage behind him.  Today there was a stark contrast to the serene heron when two pairs of squawking geese flew into the pond.  It seemed that they were giving landing instructions to each other as they circled and then "splashed down".  I wondered if you could interpret the loud chatter if it might mean something like: "Let's land in the middle"..."No, let's land on the side"..."No...let's land between the middle and the side"..."Hey, there's a big heron...let's give him some space"..."Isn't this a great pond...I wonder what kind of fish we'll snack on for breakfast".   As isolated and silent as the heron was, the geese were just the opposite with their noisy partnerships.  It occurred that there are many styles that work in nature.  The silent heron that blends in with the pond seems a good fit as a long time dweller, who doesn't want to disrupt his environment, but live in harmony with it.  The boisterous geese were visitors and didn't mind causing a ruckus...the pond was only a breakfast stop for them on the way north.  We, too, have many personalities.  Some of us are more naturally loners and some are much happier in the company of others.  Some are silent and satisfied to remain so.  When the silent ones speak or act they have something substantial to do or to say and they are content to spend much time on the edge of life's pond.  Others are happiest when busiest and making noise may be satisfying in itself.  These folks add much color to life's pond as they are not content to live at the edge, but must splash in the middle.  There is room on the pond for all and there is beauty..one beauty of the heron, another of the goose and yet another of the pond, that provides a setting for all. 

 

1 Corinthians 12:⁴ There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all

 

blessings (to geese and heron alike),

Rob Smith