Life Lessons from the Birds

Deep winter is a difficult time for the birds. Near my home, a variety of birds forage in the abundance of thistle, sunflowers, wild grasses and berry bushes. But food is not so easily found now, as the snow hides once accessible food stores under a blanket of white. So before the first real winter blast came upon us, I filled the feeder placed it on the wide ledge just outside my kitchen window, hung the the suet cake, and then I waited.

Days went by, then a week, and then I finally saw the first visitor... the feisty black capped bright eyed, chickadee. Chickadees are my favorite bird. They are bold but polite and always sing a "chicka dee dee dee" thank you. He landed on the ledge, cocked his head eying his favorite black oiled sunflower seed. Chickadees always snatch just one at a time in strong little beaks and fly off to the safety of the nearby pine tree to eat in peace. After some repeated visits to the feeder, I noticed that the chickadee no longer had the feeder all to himself. Soon a soft gray tufted titmouse had joined him on the ledge, but at a safe distance. Apparently this little guy had been watching the chickadee from his perch in the pine tree across the way, and was scoping out this new food source.

In a similar fashion the cardinal visited the ledge, the bright red male, then the brownish red female. Now the chickadee had some competition for those sunflower seeds, as the cardinals are a little bigger, a little more bossy and quite a bit more territorial. Then the not so polite blue jay visited, or should I say took over the feeder ledge for a while. The chickadee in all of his persistence refused to give up though, and waited patiently for his turn. The titmice returned again in little bands, evidence that the word has gotten out to the family. now they always visit in twos and threes. The woodpeckers have arrived to the suet feeders too, first the small black and white Downy woodpecker and then the Red Bellied woodpecker.

Because of the increased activity on the sill, more birds notice and continue to join in on the food frenzy. There is a regular flurry of activity outside of my window now. Spent seed casings and colorful feathers fly, and I am learning the birds by their own unique voice and call. The birds make me smile, and their hearty appetites demand frequent feeder refills! I am delighted though that they choose to come to my window and near enough for me to study them.

In watching my little fine feathered friends, I continue to be amazed at the creativity of our wonderful Creator God. Daily I marvel at the wisdom in nature and in the life lesson from the birds.

I am reminded that just like the birds, when we discover a good gift directly from God's hand, we are free to feast of it in delight and in gratitude. In doing so, we can be sure that the watching world out of their own hunger and curiosity will draw near to watch, and when brave enough will also step out to sample of this good that we have found. And as they come, we can be sure that more will follow as they too find Him good, that He satisfies completely and in a never ending supply.

Like the birds we come in all shapes colors and sizes. We come with our own temperaments and personalities some timid and polite others more bold and feisty. Some of us are afraid to move from our perceived place of safety, and as a result miss out on some real blessings that God intends for us. Even so, we all share the same hunger that compels us to draw near, close to the only one that satisfies. And when we find it good, we can't help but tell others and invite them to come join the feast as well.

Beginning the first week of February and continuing through the month of April, a feast of the spiritual kind is available to each of us through a variety of Life-Growth Group offerings. Life Growth Groups offer us the opportunity to make new friends, to meaningfully connect with other like minded "Grovers" who desire to learn in a deeper way what it means to be a Christ follower. What's more, you can always expect laughter, fellowship and refreshments that are far tastier than the bird fare of millet and black oiled sunflower seeds! Come and join us... sign-ups continue this next week, and oh yes....don't forget to bring a friend!!

"O taste and see that the Lord is good,
blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. " Psalm 34:8

'Till next time,
Peggy
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