Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Russell Jurgensen
Thursday, September 28, 2023
We recently visited the Oregon Zoo on a cozy lightly rainy day. It was interesting to see how our granddaughter reacted to different animals. She was naturally cautious of the bigger animals like polar bears and rhinos. She loved the little newt that swam up to the glass and put its feet up like it was saying hello. The otters put on a show and won her over.
I was surprised that she really liked the giant tortoise that slowly wondered by on its tortoise sized track around the pen. I thought it looked a little prehistoric like the rhinos. It seems that it is not always necessary to be hyper-active or good-looking to win someone’s trust. The tortoise was gentle and steady and made her feel safe.
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
1 Kings 19:10-13
There are times for speed and action, but it is interesting to see how slowing down at times can also be a powerful thing when working with other people.