Let’s talk about change, birds, faith, and storms.
by Nancy Miles
Drama at the Feeder!
Are you a bird watcher? I am not an ornithologist or a biologist, but I am a certified bird-lover. And I know for a fact many of you reading this can identify. Those little critters are very entertaining, and I love watching their antics at the feeder every morning. There are clear pecking order rules but they do not go unchallenged! I’m impressed and inspired by the bravery of the tiniest chickadee, the brazenness of the blue jay. Even the bullying of the starlings. The way Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal always fly in together, and sometimes feed one another. The woodpeckers doing their own thing. And this year, we have an abundance of Mourning Doves who puff out their chests and use their size to dominate even bigger birds. And then there are the chipmunks and squirrels who add their own dramatic touches…
Some Things Haven’t Changed
Since we first learned about this thing called Covid 19 and the world began changing overnight, I have found tremendous comfort in nature. While the whole world was changing, the mountains, skies, wildlife, and the trees did not change. The sun rose and set on time, and spring followed winter. Things were normal at the lake, or in the woods. And as our 2020 human world was shaking and morphing daily, the birds continued going about their bird lives… hunting for seeds and insects and berries, building nests, raising their young, challenging one another at the feeder. Fulfilling the purpose for which they were created, just as they had for all time. And as I watched them take to the skies, my attention was also turned upward, away from our swirling storm of masks, death counts, sanitizer, isolation, shortages, and loss. And I was thankful. The Bible assures us that God cares for the sparrow and I was reminded once again that He will care for me.
But what about storms?
But even a bird’s life is not always sunshiny. There are bad days. There are storms. What does a little sparrow do when the wind is picking up, and the rain or snow begins to bite? How does God take care of him then?
Well, I didn’t know the answer to that question, so I looked it up. And I discovered an amazing fact.
What does a sparrow do in a storm? He hangs on and goes to sleep.
According to Cornell University’s Backyard Birds website, during a storm “Birds that roost on branches, such as jays, sparrows, cardinals, crows, etc, tend to perch on a thick branch very close to the trunk on the side most protected from wind and rain. When these songbirds (also called “perching birds”) are relaxed, their feet grasp automatically, so they can sleep while tightly clasping the branch.”
Did you catch that? Their feet grasp automatically. They were created that way. God has provided within their little bodies all that they need to be safe in the storm.
What about us?
We are nearly halfway through 2021 and we are still in our storm. This is a big one. Every day it swirls, it howls and thunders sometimes, and threatens our normal. There are a lot of things we can worry about. The what-if’s, the if-onlys, the oh-no’s. But the fact is, worry is a choice. It springs from fear. And that springs from distrust in our Creator, who has this thing under control. He saw the storm before it formed. He’s got this, and He’s got your back. I have learned to look up every morning. Give God my worries, and my day. Pray. Read His Word. Get to know God.
Don’t focus on the storm–focus on God. Choose to trust Him. Hang tightly to the sturdy, immoveable limb of His faithful love. He is the Lord over your circumstance. You can and will find rest in Him.
“Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Matthew 10:31
Jesus
Going Deeper Still:
To find out (or remind yourself) what else Jesus had to say about worry read and meditate on Matthew 6:25-34. Let these true words wash over you.
Sit for awhile in this safe space. Hold on tight. Be still.
Find rest.
I hope this little article has encouraged you in some way. Be blessed, and be a blessing today.
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