Winter can be snowy, blustery, cold, slippery, and lengthy for those of us who are not snow enthusiasts. And then something like this appears to cheer up the day and put a smile on even the most frozen of faces. It certainly put a big smile on mine. It’s from “The Beauty of Every Season Photos” and once again, was shared on Facebook. Are you smiling? Look at the birds of the air…Matthew 6:26
Just had to share this cardinal poster shown on Pinterest. Enjoy your Sunday however it unfolds.
Cardinals make me happy. Lately I have seen this beautiful bird both in my yard and on Facebook many times. May your Sunday be blessed with what makes you happy.
Have you ever watched a pair of squirrels chasing each other up and down trees, across telephone cables, or simply in circles on a lush lawn? Such energy! I’d love to clock their speed.
Our days may not be filled with that kind of energetic behaviour, but just watching those fluffy-tail rodents is enough to make me get up and get moving.
And then there’s the lowly caterpillar inching its way along a blade of grass, expending the least amount of energy. (Or maybe not.)
Nature’s energy is all around us: growing grass and flowers, a gentle breeze, a gusty wind, rustling leaves, thunder, lightning, and bird song.
It’s good to remember that when we feel depleted, we can plug into nature’s energy. Run, squirrel, run!
When the meadowlark sings in the meadow,
when the woodpecker pecks at its tree,
when the red breasted robin lays her blue eggs,
when the mockingbird mocks with glee.
When the Baltimore oriole leaves Baltimore,
when the Canada geese fly back home,
when the beautiful cardinal dressed all in red
when the warbler warbles its song.
When the finch with its feathers of yellow,
when the jay in its shades of blue,
when the martin of purple splendor,
when the bunting of indigo hue.
When the birds fill the air with their joy sounds,
when their colors and plumage take flight,
God’s creatures share freely their bird life,
when we take the time to delight.
©2015
(This is the result of not wanting to leave yesterday’s poem in its unfinished state.)
When the meadowlark sings in the meadow,
when the woodpecker pecks at its tree,
when the red breasted robin lays her blue eggs…
it means
Spring Is Coming!!!
(I’m beginning to feel better after a brief illness…can you tell?)
Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air…Genesis 1:28
Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom…Job 39:26
The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. Psalm 104:12
…they shall mount up with wings as eagles…Isaiah 40:31
Consider the ravens; for they neither sow nor reap…Luke 1:2
…and birds of the air have nests…Matthew 8:20
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap…Matthew 6:26
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Luke 12:6
So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31
These are but a few of many scriptures pertaining to birds. The Bible is so full of fascination for me.
Today I am grateful for:
my nice clean furnace, all set for the winter months
getting my role files in order for tonight’s Session meeting
getting more orders for My Precious Life, the book
seeing a “birdfest” around the feeder this afternoon
having more visitors to my blog
It’s difficult to stop at only five gratefuls!
I have a thing about cardinals. Not the baseball Cardinals, or the religious Cardinals, but those beautiful, red-feathered birds.
They are my sign that all is well when that is sometimes not the case. Just to see or hear one of these cheerful creatures immediately uplifts me.
One beautiful summer morning, while meditating in the garden, there appeared to be more birds than usual fluttering around the feeder.
They seemed to be performing some kind of ritual. A few of them pecked away at the seeds while others hovered nearby, waiting their turn.
Then, I noticed the birds on the ground feeding each other with the seeds spilling from the feeder.
I sat spellbound watching birds splashing in the bath, swooping and diving, twittering and chirping; ordinary backyard birds; sparrows, starlings, robins, a finch or two and one female cardinal. Time seemed to stand still.
I was entranced as I watched. Three or four sparrows splashed around in the bath, drank, shook a rainbow of water from their wings, and flew away while others took their place.
The female cardinal took over, vigorously flapping her wings, and sending sprays in every direction.
I remember thinking this whole show was being performed just for me, and that the beautiful, bright red male cardinal, would appear on my clothesline as the grand finale.
As I sat waiting, secure in the knowledge that this would be the case, I suddenly realized that time was not standing still, and I had to leave for work.
Reluctantly leaving the sights and sounds, I went into the house to prepare for the long day ahead.
Disappointed that I would miss the cardinal’s appearance, I was ready to leave when I heard his distinct whistle, “cheer, cheer, cheer”. I knew that when I looked out he would be there—and he was.
“Thank you!” I breathed to God and the red-feathered bird sitting on my clothesline.
It was going to be a great day.
Dreams can be spiritual messages that you are being lovingly cared for by divine forces. They are like angels in that they bring both good news and urgent warnings. (From “Wrestling With Your Angels by Janet O. Hagberg)
A friend recently posted a cute and comic link on Facebook about birds which reminded me of another meaningful dream I had in 2000. The reason I remember these dreams is because I keep a dated dream journal.
And now for the dream birds.
Before falling asleep, I said a prayer to wake up at 7 a.m. for a church-oriented workshop in the morning. I am a very sound sleeper and don’t always hear the alarm.
In my dream, a hummingbird got tangled in my hair. I managed to get it loose and it flew to the top of a birch tree in the yard. As I watched his flight, another small bird nestled under my chin; then another one nuzzled one side of my neck, while yet another pressed against the other side. They were nudging my face with their plump, feathery little bodies. I was getting annoyed with them when I felt one get under the hair at the back of my neck. I began to panic and tried to call for help when a fluttering little bird tried to get into my mouth. That’s when I woke up. It was 7:45 a.m and if those feathery little creatures had not invaded my dreams, I would have missed the 9 a.m. workshop.
I love birds and was very thankful for their most timely, although frightening, interruption of my sleep.
My Precious Life 