Get these seagulls off welfare!

Vacationing in Maine for a few days is always refreshing. For me, the ocean is my oasis and my greatest place of reflection. Our first full day I walked the beach at low tide and also stood just watching, thinking, praying.

I was, however, distracted by the presence of my least favorite part of the beach... seagulls! No movie has ever captured the personality and annoyance of these former wild birds of prey than "Finding Nemo". "Mine, mine, mine."



Now these beasts of (or birds of) burden hover, not over head to look for the latest fish feast, but bounce around on the ground for the latest human handout. They hang around me with their eyes saying, "Hey, Bud, got a cheese doodle? What about a fry or a crust of bread? Could you help a bird down on his luck?" What has happened? When did this begin? Who enabled these winged welfare beneficiaries for the first time? Can someone please teach them to fish again? Can we get these seagulls off of welfare???

I found hope when one of these gulls swooped down and grabbed a small crab crawling along the beach with perfection and lifted off only to be chased after by another with the look of entitlement in his face.

Now understand, tongue in cheek certainly is my method in this reflective story. I am also not implying that we not help those in need. Quite the contrary. We should always be mindful of those in need and help on a regular basis.

So what is my point? Simply put: don't just give handouts to have fun or to sooth your conscience. If you want to see culture changed then pray, make a plan and stick to it for the long hall. Help a person to change and then help them to help someone else to change.

This spiritual principle is offered by Paul the Apostle to his spiritual son in the faith, Timothy. "Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." (2 Timothy 2:1, 2 NLT) You are talking about four generations of change. That is the long hall!

Cross your Rubicon and commit to helping one life change.