January 30, 2021

January 30, 2021

Sharing from the congregation – David Petty

I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine. — Psalm 50:11

The seagulls are back.

As I told the children a few years ago, and I’m sure many of you overheard, there is a flock of seagulls that winters on London Lake.  They usually show up around Thanksgiving and stay through early March.  I haven’t been out much this winter, but I did see them over on the lake recently.  I don’t know how long they’ve been coming; I first saw them 22 years ago.  Some years there seem to be more than others, but one occasion when I tried to count them I counted over 50 before they flew away.

The story I have been told about how they got here is that many years ago the flock was blown off course by a storm and ended up in the vicinity of West Town Mall.  Workers at the restaurants began feeding them leftovers.  Apparently the birds appreciated Knoxville hospitality enough that that decided to return every winter.

So much has changed since they started coming.  So much has changed since the last time they came!  I find a lot of consolation in the fact that many of the rhythms of life, great and small, continue despite human problems.  I have learned to appreciate small miracles; a flock of birds may not seem to compare to some miracles, but all are testimonies to the same God.  So let’s show hospitality to them all.  In the midst of our present troubles, praise God!

Gracefully submitted, 
David Petty