The Patience of a Seagull
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:28
I no longer go to the beach because I’d rather be in the mountains. But in my younger years, that was the place to be! Coconut suntan lotion, boom boxes, some snacks and a good book made the day worth the burn. Seldom did I swim because of my fear of sharks. I also found the seagulls to be most annoying. Their loud noises and feeding fury did not make for enjoyable, relaxing times. Lori Hatcher (All God’s Creatures) has written about her seagull experience and was able to dive deep.
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One minute my grandkids were happily munching popcorn on the beach. The next minute a wayward piece blew across the sand and caught the eye of a passing seagull. Faster than you can say, “Dinner!” the seagull had snatched it up and swallowed it. My granddaughter threw another piece its way, and the frenzy began. Birds came from everywhere, swarming the kids and deafening us with their raucous cries. From that point on, the rule on the beach was No Feeding the Seagulls.
The next day, we surreptitiously munched our sandwiches, careful not to attract the seagulls’ attention. We were successful, except for one red-beaked laughing gull. As I neared the end of my lunch, I noticed him. He stood quietly on one leg, gazing at me. No frantic fluttering. No deafening squawks. Just a patient, attentive gaze.
I turned my face away. When I turned back, he was still there. Same patient gaze. Same quiet disposition.
I thought of the beauty of patience as I watched the seagull and it watched me. Should I eat the last bite of my sandwich or throw it to the gull?
That day on the beach, the seagull waited for what it could see—the last bite of my lunch. Christians wait for what we do not see—our reward for serving God. Do we wait noisily, moaning, groaning, and squawking, or do we wait with patient and confident hope? Romans 8:25 describes the patient hope God delights to reward.
Turning toward the seagull, I tossed the corner of bread into the air. “Well done, little guy,” I said with a smile. “Well done.”
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much more. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 25:21 (ESV)
Gracious and Loving Lord, help us to wait on You. AMEN.