For The Birds

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26

One of the things that brings me a little bit of stress relief, and peace, is looking out of my dining room window and watching all of the birds that call our back yard “home”. We have a number of feeders for them, and houses, and apparently the word got out among them and their friends, and now we have a growing bird sanctuary back there. I love watching them show up though – and I marvel at their amazing colors, differences and beauty. And I love watching them eat. I mean – I looooove watching them eat. I don’t even know what it is about them eating that I find so fascinating, but I do love knowing that the different kinds of foods that we put out for them are enjoyable to them. I can only imagine how God loves seeing us take delight when we eat of His bounty, and drink of His living water.

I have noticed a few very special things about those birds though. I’ve noticed that none of them have been flying around to each feeder, checking and double-checking the level of bird food left in each. I’ve noticed that none of them look terribly concerned, whether its about the fact that there might only be a few little seeds left in any one of those feeders, or in all of the feeders for that matter. They don’t give much thought to what gets spilled on the ground, and I’ve never seen even one break a sweat because a grabby little squirrel shows up. I’ve noticed that none of those birds look worried in any way. I haven’t seen any nervously nibbling away at their toenails (is that what you call them?), or sitting on a branch with their little heads buried in worry in their little wings. It’s like they know something that I don’t know. And what they know is at the heart level, and their little minds follow. They have no apparent cares, no concerns. They appreciate the little morsels that are set out before them. They live in the moment, and they exude a joy that I’ve never known.

fall scents for your home

My heart is another story. I worry – all the time. I check my resources over and over, whether it’s a bank account, my client list, my pantry or any number of things, and I worry about what isn’t there, or how long what is there will last. I sit with my head in my well-wrung hands, and sink into the mire of my own bad thoughts. I do a terrible job at appreciating the here and now. Oh, and did I mention I’m a multi-tasker? Yes, I can be working on one problem, and worrying about another – all without missing  a beat. How lame is that?

The birds sing each morning – happy for a new day. They take delight in the abundance before them when it’s sunny or cloudy. And when the rain comes they patiently wait for the skies to clear, because they know something wonderful is waiting for them. The birds are such wonderful examples of how each of us should live each day, thankful and joyful. They are masterpieces in God’s creation, and their wings can raise us up to the heavens.

Lord, thank you so very much for the beautiful examples of your love that you’ve placed in your creation. And thank you for your promise to love us, and to provide for us, in even greater ways than you provide for the birds. Thank you for knowing our needs, and knowing our concerns. Thank you for the blessings you give us each day, whether we realize it or not. Thank you for understanding our shortcomings, and loving us when we behave so very ungratefully. God, help me to remember your love and provision every morning, and help me to find your peace in my heart every day. God, bless me with every blessing, out of your amazing abundance. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Copyright ConnieD 2012.  All rights reserved.

 

Originally posted on ProChristianWoman.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

For The Birds
Scroll to Top