Our property is surrounded by natural trees—cottonwood, hackberry, sugarberry, poplar and ash (to name a few). Growth is abundant here, and from spring through fall, everything stays green. It’s a virtual nature preserve for birds. Of course, we’ve planted a few since we’ve been here, too—red maple, birch and redbud. Previous owners planted a couple crepe myrtle (closer to the house than was wise) and one ugly tree out behind the house—a common hawthorn.
We had every intention of yanking out that hawthorn and replacing it with something beautiful. Until last summer. That was then we hung up our bird feeder, and the tree was somehow transformed from a scrappy plant with thorns, berries, and messy flowers to something quite breathtaking. Bright red and orange cardinals, blue jays, doves, mockingbirds, and others flit from branch to branch awaiting their turn at the feeder. Too large to sit properly at the feed, the red-headed woodpeckers perform complicated acrobatics to steal a seed or two. More birds gather on the ground around the tree picking up the overflow like the Israelites collecting manna. And they’re constantly singing.
The transformation of how I once saw that tree to what it’s become reminds me of what happens to us when we allow Jesus to transform our hearts. We might still be a hot mess at times, but we have the potential to be more than the sum total of our past mistakes and present failures. And when I keep my eyes on the creation that surrounds me, I’m reminded of the One who holds our very lives in His hands.
We are not alone.
You know that old saying, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”? That’s us—early to bed and rise, anyway. We spend the best part of the day with the Lord, sipping our coffee and listening to the world come awake. I love summer because all the windows are open, and I hear the birds singing even before the sun comes up. “Faith is the bird that feels the light when dawn is still dark.”—Rabindranath Tagore.
The world is exploding with anger, dissension, and divisiveness. There is a lot of talk about “end times.” It’s going to happen, but whether it does in our life time or not, we need to trust that there is a plan and purpose even in the most difficult circumstances. We must hold onto our faith when fear comes to knock. Mathew 6:26 says, “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?”
We are not alone.
Comments 7
I’m glad you have the wonderful haven you describe so beautifully. I am still sheltering an hour northwest of Minneapolis on a small farm. More Amish families have moved into our area, and it has been a blessing this weekend to see them Cut hay with teams of horses pulling mowers, their horses tails swishing. It is amazing to enjoy such peaceful surroundings when havoc lies not that far away. These are times to absorb the peace and beauty God creates to share with others through spoken words when we can have contact and through writing. God bless you.
Author
Your setting sounds idyllic! I have loved the times I’ve visited Amish country–there is such a peace and simpleness to their lives that draws me.
Thank you for your wonderful analogy and encouraging words….
Author
You are so welcome, Sue!
A little glimpse into your beautiful setting of birds, (we don’t get cardinals or blue jays up here), lofty trees and the sound of birdsong makes me so want to visit. I want to sit on the porch with you and share a cup of Java and life once again. Until we meet again may Jesus bless you with His many blessings.
Author
Can hardly wait for that day!
I love this. Since my husband passed and I found a home for our large dog, I have put up bird feeders just outside our dining room window. I say our because I have 4 cats. When they are awake, we all watch the birds come and feed. We have mostly sparrows, but a dove couple, and a family of cardinals. I have also seen a bluejay scare away the smaller birds so they can feed. It is a sanctuary, a place to distract from the worries of the day as is my new church. Thank you for the inspiration and support in my faith.