Eagles

An eagle rises up to catch the wind and soars heavenward.  Native people believe that seeing an eagle is a sign that the Great Spirit hears their prayers.  They offer tobacco to the earth as a sign of their gratefulness when they see the eagle.  I look for the eagle each day.

There is a large eagle's nest in a tree that I can see from the highway as I am on my way to work each day.  I have been watching this nest and its inhabitants for a few years now.  Over the past few months, I watched the adult eagles (recognizable by their white heads) prepare the nest for this years hatching.  I would love to be able to get a glimpse of the fledglings; but this Spring has been so warm that the trees have leafed out early and it is much harder to see.  There are about five nests that we are aware of and we try to watch them whenever we are in the various locations.

When I was young, it was a very rare sight to see a bald eagle because of the use of DDT and other chemicals which poisoned their food supply and also them.  Today, Minnesota has the largest populations of eagles in the contiguous 48 states and seeing them is almost a daily occurrence.  We have seen many gathered together on the ice in the Spring as the ice is going out to feed on the winter-kill of fish.  Each time I see one I am still amazed at their strength, their beauty and their grace. 

This morning as I drove into work my mind was wandering elsewhere and I missed the opportunity. I am reminded that these sightings, though they may be fairly often are truly a gift.  Acknowledgment to me that my Creator does in fact hear my prayers.  How often do I miss other messages from God because I am distracted by the routine daily life?  He reveals Himself to us in so many ways.

A huge orange moon on the horizon over the lake.

An intricate Spider's web glistening with dew in the morning light.

The call of a loon at dusk.

Do you listen?  Do you see?  Can you smell the freshness of His breath?

There is something sacred happening all around reminding us of His presence. We just need to pay attention and be aware!