I live across the road from a wildlife refuge. This time of year, the ducks and geese are migrating, the sandhill cranes fly far overhead, the cormorants leave for warmer climes, and the swans come through on their way south.
Over the past two weeks I've taken some intentional time to notice who all is out there. A hiking trip yielded a kingfisher, two canvasbacks, and the beginning of what will be huge, overwintering flocks of widgeon. A boat trip, poking into sloughs, discovered a loon, a red-necked grebe, a pied-billed grebe, and a pair of western grebes - along with the usual assortment of ducks and geese. No eagles yet - but I know they're coming. Lots of pelicans - huge, with white plumage streaked with black. And the occasional egret - I haven't gotten out the glasses and books to figure out which one.
Last week a friend and I took a nineteen mile hike along the rivers in this area - the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima. She commented on how rarely we see egrets in pairs. About ten minutes later - there was a pair, roosting in the top of a snag, near the grounds of a stately old mansion.
I live in the midst of rivers and wildlife, of desert beauty and open spaces. To see it all, I only have to walk out the door of my house, or walk a few short blocks to the river from the church. To see it all, I only have to open my eyes to everything surrounding me. It's there, whether I choose to notice it or not.
So is God. I just don't always take the time to notice God's presence. Yet God is present, whether I choose to notice or not. And not even a few moments away, but as close as my next breath. God is there. Grant me grace to open my eyes - to spend the moments in awareness - to be present to all that surrounds me. Especially to God...
