Surprises

                Yesterday as I was walking along the river, a bald eagle flew overhead.  It happened so quickly I only had time to note its white tail and impressive wingspan before it disappeared from sight.  Even so, it took my breath away. 

                The eagle reminded me of when my daughter was little and we would take our dog, Radar, out hiking every day.  One of the things we did to make it more of an adventure and to help her see God’s hand in creation, was to look for the “surprises” He left for us.   One morning we’d watch a deer walk along the opposite shore, another day a blue heron would take flight right above us, or we’d find the tree shavings left by a beaver.  Fungi in a rainbow of colors would appear after rainstorms.  A patch of clover would have an abundance of 4-leaf specimens.  The dew would trace the intricate pattern of a spider web.  Every day something new and amazing would catch our eyes, but only if we were looking for it.

             I need moments like the eagle’s flight to remind me to be watching for the wonders surrounding me.  They are so easy to overlook, but true treasures if caught.