Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? — Matthew 6:26
Being of the AARP variety, complete with my retirement card, I can title this meditation the way I did. In other words, it takes an old person to write, with authority, about changing perceptions as you grow older.
And this one truth I hold to be self-evident: The more you increase in age, the greater you appreciate birds.
My daughter gave me a squirrel-proof birdfeeder for Father’s Day. I find it more entertaining than anything on HBO. Every small to medium sized Missouri bird has communicated to each other about the buffet they’ll find there. Blue jays, cardinals, house finches, Carolina wrens, downy woodpeckers…Yes, I’ve joined my AARP comrades and have become a bird nerd.
And there’s something spiritual about that. Feathered friends are playful…they’re focused…they fuss…but, ultimately, they fulfill their job description by trusting that a “heavenly Father” will look after them during their short time on earth. Jesus must have been a bird watcher too.
So, I invite you, regardless of age, to take time and enjoy these feathered expressions who claim dinosaurs as their ancestors. Which one will you see today? Maybe you’ll hear the message they preach through their songs and actions: “Lighten up! This is the day the Lord has made! Rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24, Missouri Bird Edition).
Love it. L be on look out. Heat might be a factor today.
Perfection! We planted lots of trees in yard We are blessed with many varieties of animal entertainment. Deer Squirrel Chipmunks MICE ground hogs and many kinds of birds! You can hear them start to call to each other as the sun rises. And talk to their (potential) mates and …unfriendly birds
Love this meditation. Being “older” (84) and a widow, I am an avid birder! Well, I feed birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, (a stray cat)! My house cat loves to lie at a window and watch all the outdoor critters. Those critters are a huge part of his and my entertainment day to day. God’s creations bring so much joy! Even the grackles at the feeders!
I’m obsessed with my hummingbird friends!
I have an ‘ant moat’ above one feeder, and that’s become a ‘water bowl’ for yellow finches and other small birds! 😆
Many evenings, we also enjoy the very interesting (and kinda creepy) call of some barred owls!
I love to watch my birds❤️