Hints from Nature

Swans about to leave the shallows

Across the lake the swan family worked the shallows,  Last spring six gray, fluffy babies had joined the proud parents.  Lately I had seen only seven swans, so it was good to spot the whole group.

About 10 minutes later when I reached their area, the cob (papa), the pen (mama) and five of their nearly full-grown babies were busy eating plants from the bottom in a close-knit group.  The sixth was also eating -- several yards away.

When the cob decided it was time to leave, he set out across the lake.  Five youngsters and Mama obediently lined up single-file behind him.  The sixth swan child ignored their departure.  Eventually she swam into the lake a little bit, then settled into a cove with a couple of mallards far from her family who had selected distant shoreline.

At first I wondered if this was a rebellious youngster.  But there is safety
in numbers in the wild, and a cygnet would instinctively know this.  Had the family pushed her out for some reason?  An ugly duckling among her own kind?

This unnatural isolation impelled me to pray that none of God’s creatures can be separated from Her all-embracing, unconditional love. Quickly a broader prayer emerged -- that none of God’s children anywhere can be excluded from Her love.  The Shepherd parable reminds us that even one sheep out of a hundred, in God’s view, is worth finding and bringing home. 

May that swan and all who feel alone know the comfort and inclusion of divine Love.  May all feel valued and needed, and find their sense of family.  God’s love is greater than rebellion or misunderstanding, neglect or hurt feelings.  Divine Love is attractive and irresistible, warm and welcoming.  There is no dysfunction in God's family where each of us is already established.

I love the Biblical reminder that God delights in us.  All of us.  Who She delights in, She cares for.