Lessons from the Manatees

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Psalm 121:1-3 (NIV)

A light fog blurred the trees along the bank and formed a curtain blocking the river entrance.  But as the sun warmed the air, the gray mist disappeared and revealed a brilliant, blue sky. 

            When river temperatures dip into the 60’s or lower, manatees travel to the warmer waters of Blue Spring. Large, gray bodies hovered in the clear water. Occasionally, they would slowly drift upward for a breath of air. Their snouts would break the surface of the water with a puff and then they immediately sank. 

            A few calves remained close to their moms. Each large creature swam with little flippers and a large tail. 

Many of the older ones wore crisscross scars on their backs. A few had chunks taken out of their tails. All from boat propellers. 

Even though the number of manatees going to the spring that day was seven hundred thirty-six, none of the gentle creatures seemed perturbed by the crowd in the relatively small space. Not one pushed or shoved those around them. They peacefully floated through the water as though no one was around them. They also ignored the masses of people talking and taking pictures. 

As I watched the docile animals, I thought of how we can learn from them. We can find a safe, quiet spot to escape the chaos of our world. Find a spot to enjoy God’s creation. 

In three days, I found solace in three places with water. The quiet water of Blue Spring, the ocean with rolling waves and the calm lake behind my home. Each one gave me peace and tranquility.

Despite their scars, the manatees remained blissful and content. Not one expressed aggressiveness to the throng milling about the spring. 

The large, mellow animals would never be described as beautiful, muscular or handsome. Their bodies seem to be put together with extra parts but they accept the way God made them.  

In a serene retreat, we can focus on our blessings and ignore distractions. We can learn to accept who we are even with our scars and less than perfect bodies. We can learn to not worry and depend on God instead. 

Watching the manatees gave me a sense of peace and thankfulness at what God has done for me. 

Creator, thank you for using your creation to teach us. We can learn about life and how to handle it through your creation. We know you are always with us.

Amen