On the way to youth camp, we stopped by the Kansas City Zoo. Its a great, huge zoo. We sent the kids into the park to explore and see as much as possible. There were a buch of exhibits that I was excited about. I’m a sucker for the otters. I was not disappointed. They were frollicking and rolling in the water. It was fantastic. They have massive polar bears. One of them came near the window rolled, on the ground and gave himself a soothing back-rub. The penguin house had an underwater observation window and watching these little feathered missiles rocket through the water was mesmerizing.
The standard animals were great: rhino, elephants, hippos, antelope, goats, monkeys, lions, tigers and bears. They had areas dedicated to Africa, Asia, and Australia. They had a children’s area that was swarmed with kids. The weather was almost perfect.
My group stepped into the Australian Aviary. I love birds and was excited to see what special visitors from down under they had transported for us to see. On the railing were pictures indicating what might be hiding and flying in the enclosure. I let my eyes scan across those with vibrant colors and outlandish displays, but then my gave locked on a non-descript lump of a bird, right in the middle. It is called the Tawny Frogmouth. Several years ago I watched a video about the bird. It has an amazing ability to blend-in and look just like a log. I really wanted to see one.
I deputized all my kids. I showed them the picture and was about to release them to search for the winged wonder when one of the girls said, “Its right there.” I snapped my eyes to her eyes and then followed her gaze. All I could see through the leaves was a big black swan. I asked, “Right there?”
“Yes,” came the reply. In my mind I chuckled a little. I tried to clarify which bird we were trying to locate. The student was a little more forceful. “Yes, that bird (pointing tot he picture) is right there.” I tried again following their eyes and still seeing just green leaves. Then I made one more adjustment. I lowered my head by about 20” to be on the same level of her eyes. That is when I could see it. When I got down under the green canopy and started looking up, the birds was easy to see. I moved some limbs and leaves out of the way and the bird was only about 4 feet away from me. I snapped his picture and let the leaves close back together.
Lots of time we are all looking, but do not see the same thing. Because we all have our own perspective and our own position, it is hard to get everyone to agree. It is hard to get people to stoop down, to stretch around, to displace leaves and try to get a better look. It is easier to stay stuck in our own position than try to see from another person’s perspective. Jesus was know to have compassion, that he saw problems from other people’s perspective and that his heart was moved by understanding others. I pray we all see together.