“…I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.” Psalm 13:5-6 NIV
My friend, Ellen, told me it would happen. I’d bought a hummingbird feeder, seen my first tiny, sparkling bird, and was raving about it. “Just wait, Donna. That’s how it started with Jim and me. Now our grandchildren call us ‘bird nerds.’”
“Oh, I don’t think I’ll go that far,” I assured her.
The next week, I bought a finch feeder.
This year, I broke down and bought a bona fide, squirrel-proof, cutting edge birdfeeder. And am I ever having a grand time! After I caught myself staring out the window for a full half hour today, I concluded – I am officially a bird nerd.
One of the cutest things the birds do is flutter from perch to perch dipping their beaks into the seed. They never realize that all the food comes from the same source.
We flutter around here on earth like hyperactive birds trying to gather all we can for ourselves. Do we stop and think that every blessing comes from God? He is our Source, our Supply. I thought of the verse in James 1:17 that says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
God gives us life and material blessings, but His most important gift is the gift of Salvation. We have eternal life when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NIV)
Sometimes the birds chase each other off as if the food’s running out. When I fill up the feeder, I can’t help but think how dependent they’ve become on my diligence, and how dependent I am on God for everything – my salvation, my life, my very breath. I praise the Lord for all His provision.
Hmm…what’s next? Maybe a birdbath?
Prayer: Lord, You are so good to me. Thank You for so many blessings, and most of all, for saving me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Hey... there's nothing more relaxing than bird watching, well almost nothing. When i was growing up my aunt and uncle that lived in a very woodsey area of Cincinnati and never did have children, would have me down to stay on the weekends. I think they figured if they wanted a kid they'd just get me, its cheaper and not as confining. I loved those days because my aunt, being the bird nerd that she is, taught me all the species and how to tell the males from the females. She introduced me to the Cincinnati Nature Center and a lot of the art in Cincinnati as well as identifying trees and plants. Keep after it Donna, its amazing to see God's Glory in all the little worlds and environments around us. :)
ReplyDeletehi-donna.Sometimes Ill be upset about something and its morning and ill pause after telling the Lord all about it and all of a sudden therell be the sound of a bird singing and ill remember in spite of their fragile and seemingly insignificant existence that there they are singing their heart out-like we should be doing-telling God how great He is in song-like the birds do.
ReplyDeleteThat was a really sweet piece. - Sally
ReplyDeleteAll are sound applications Donna! Very nice job. These short and sweet devos fit with a few magazines gdls.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the life pictures,
April
This was great, Donna!
ReplyDeleteI too have a hummingbird feeder and am just getting into the bird watching thing. Isn't it funny how something we have taken for granted all these years, things we've seen and never really 'seen', are such sources of beauty, inspiration, and awe?
Thanks for sharing :)
--Caroline
Far be it from me to say, "I told ya so!" There's nothing wrong with appreciating God's lovely Creation and the ways that Creation glorifies the Maker of every good and perfect gift! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteEllen
Donna,
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy your devotionals. This one was really close to my heart. My little momma loved hummingbirds so much. Every time I see one, I'm reminded of her.
Thank you, It was beautiful . . . as usual.
Bert