A Year on Clear Lake-Jun 14, 2013

Adversity–June 14, 2013

In nature, there are no ERs, MDs, or Rehab. You survive, or you die. This yellow-crowned night heron was walking oddly when first spotted. As he neared, the disfigured left leg became apparent.  As it walks, the bird throws its leg out awkwardly, but despite the injury seems able to stalk its prey–though handicapped.

It’s heartbreaking to see. How could such a thing happen? You want to reach out and make it all better. But sometimes, there isn’t anything you can do but watch from a distance. It’s that way in our lives, too, with the people we love and care about. We know how to make things better, but it’s not up to us. All we can do is watch, and pray, and trust that in the end things will turn out right.

Will the heron survive? I don’t know. I do know that within each of us, from the tiniest to the biggest, is an inner strength that is summoned in the face of adversity. We have to trust that strength will see us through.

Green Thought: A setting sun still whispers a promise for tomorrow. ~Jeb Dickerson