Wanting it all...

On a recent trip to the Florida coast, my husband and I returned from a long beach walk to encounter a strange sight involving a bagel.  What looked like a whirlwind of white, was a flock of gulls, each trying his best to claim the bagel for his own.

One of the more decisive gulls snatched the bagel and tried to fly away with his catch. Time after time he attempted to take flight and time after time the bagel proved too heavy to lift. Watching this comedy of errors made me think that seagulls are much like humans. We tend to dream big and to want it all. Hebrews 13:16 says, "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." As children we are taught to share, but as life goes on, the lesson tends to get lost in translation.

 

The seagull?  Well, he learned to eat what he needed and leave the rest for others who are also hungry. Being selfish was much harder on him in the long run than sharing with the flock.  

It was a great visual lesson to all of us beach walkers who were able to take time off for a holiday, complete with wonderful meals and comfortable lodging. We must never forget to thank God for our blessings and, being more like Him, offer what we can in kindness to others.

        

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15.