Brenda’s Blog – June 4, 2024
“I had to look over and over to find the hawk so I could get the photo.” My friend Kathy is a professional photographer who specializes in wild life, especially birds. After months and months she finally spotted a hawk in a tree near their home. The Piney Woods of East Texas create a hospitable habitat for a richly diverse selection of subject for her.
The hawk was captured in full form perched on a broad branch of a tree. When I first saw her photo my reaction was, “Protective coloration at its best, isn’t it?”
Living in rural Texas gives us all opportunities to see this protection in the seasonal changes. The dappling which resembles light playing through the trees covers newly-delivered fawns; the drab coloration of female cardinals keeps prying predators away from the nests; and of course, the grassy , woodsy patterns on the skins of snakes allow them free access to fields and backyard wood piles.
A friend of mine received word his company was negotiating with another in preparation for a merger. His cryptic comment was, “Time to put on my protective coloration.” “What do you mean?” “Dress like they dress, take the gray out of my hair, and keep my head down.” I thought he was kidding, but watching the transition proved his strategy correct for he made it through the merger successfully.
We all have out own ways of avoiding detection. We hide anger, fear – even the need for acceptance and love. We wear smiles when we are in terrible pain; we “play nice” when clearly the situation is unfair; we pretend to enjoy someone’s company until we can escape. These are all ways of wearing masks which provide protection.
Being unmasked conjures up unspeakable dread, doesn’t it? Being fully known drives us to mask and even double mask. But God didn’t create us to provide our own protection coloration. He promised to be with us, leading and guiding – and protecting. How can we help others if we present only a false face? Protective coloration for hawks is given by God… the presence of the Holy Spirit is the protection given to us. Let us walk in truth showing what God has done, is doing, and will forever do – hallelujah!