About this time every year a strange phenomenon occurs. The migration begins. They arrive in their dulled colors of khaki and gray, heads adorned with broad-billed coverings while cameras and binoculars adorn their chest. They are unusually silent. They are the birders.
You will find them congregating along the river paths and searching the tree tops for their prey. Our area has many species of birds and they attract a lot of attention. So I felt I would take this opportunity to also draw your attention to the birds.
I love to hear their song right before sunrise. The sweet melody lets me know the day is about to start and the birds are grateful for the bounty of their day. The bird baths have received a good scrubbing and are filled with fresh water. The trees and scrub brush provide nesting space; I’ve even had them build nests in my flower pots, under the branches of the geraniums.
These melodious, brightly colored, two-legged, dual-winged creatures are examples of God’s love and provision. These are the words of Jesus:
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:25-33 NLT
There have been times that I have worried about all these things – food, clothing, shelter, bills, health, etc. But once these words from my heavenly Father really began to sink into my heart I let those worries go. Each time I hear the song of a robin, the coo of a dove, the call of the quail I am reminded that God, my Father, loves me more than the birds and if He will provide for them He will definitely see to my well-being.
As they start their day singing, I let my heart join them in song and say “I sing because I’m happy, I singing because I’m free. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me”.