Hello John,
 
First - I love the Doves! Thank you so much for your commitment and faithfulness as a Watchman on the Wall for God's kingdom. I've been reading Five Doves for almost two years, but have never posted, so I'm not sure what the protocol is ... but, here goes!
 
If you could please post the following under the name "Dale Hearon" and the title "Ardea herodias" - thank you!
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Welcome to the Doves, Dale!
John
 
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Dear Myra, Fay & All Doves,

The Holy Spirit has moved me to ‘jump in’ at last and post to the Five Doves. I’ve been an avid reader since September 2009. John Tng, finding your site is like discovering spiritual treasure. I ‘dig in’ each day, eager to find what God is revealing to His people.

Ever since Jesus saved me at age nine, Bible prophecy has been my passion and I’ve held firm to the belief that Christ will return in my lifetime. I’m fifty now, and this site is such a comfort and encouragement, providing reassurance that we are closer than ever to the fulfillment of our Blessed Hope!  I’ve been following the posts of Myra and Fay, and a few days ago I suddenly remembered an experience (long forgotten) that I’m now led to share.

In the spring of 2007 I was living in an apartment complex which was surrounded a large lake. One night about 11 o’clock, I took my dogs for a short walk before bedtime.  On our return home, I saw something out of the corner of my eye.  At first I thought it was a neighbor, but as I turned to say hello, I nearly fell over. There stood a Great Blue Heron – neck fully extended – it must have been five feet tall.  It wasn’t on the shore line, but on the grassy knoll above it. It gazed directly at me, completely motionless as I walked past with my two rambunctious pets.  We went inside and finished our nightly routine, but I couldn’t fall asleep. An hour later, curiosity got the best of me. I got up and looked out the window– the heron had not moved. Another hour went by and then another… same heron, still standing.

[I could not get over the fact that the bird wasn’t disturbed by our presence. Having lived in the southern United States all my life, herons are a frequent and welcome sight. Despite their size, they are shy birds and they startle easily – they’ll usually fly at the first sight of a human, even if you are on the opposite shore. ]

It was almost 2 a.m. (and though it may sound silly) I knew somehow I had to come to terms with this encounter. It was so unusual, so completely out of the ordinary. The bird was not fishing for a meal. Nor was it fearful of me. It wasn't by the water, but standing on the grass on the apartment side of the lake - not on the opposite side which was undeveloped and had plenty of natural cover. And it had been standing in the same position for several hours. So I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit if it was some kind of sign. I didn’t get a direct answer, only a sense that I must write down my thoughts and feelings at once. Here’s what I wrote on that sleepless spring night:

The eleventh hour
Descending darkness
The heron watches
All wisdom and stillness
On the edge of the deep

 

God bless you and keep you all until we meet on high.

YFIC,

Dale Hearon