Softly stepping
sunlight blazing
umbrella trees
perfectly shading
rustling leaves
deer are feeding
toddlers shuffling
songbirds tweeting
couples hand-holding
walking slow
enjoying the view
down below
sounds of nature
creation in tune
a blessed summer
walk in June
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord- Psalm 150:6
Sun- shining bright like a diamond
Where’s Waldo?! Can you spot the deer?
A little songbird feasts on some twigs
This gorgeous butterfly led me down the trail
I sit here waiting
anticipating
for company
i do long
for friends that I
watch soar on by
I’m listening
for their song
After a morning at church, we settled in for a restful afternoon. From my bedroom, I heard hustling and bustling coming from the kitchen. Curiously I got up and went to see what was going on…
“Mom- look what I did, ” my oldest daughter smiled proudly as she opened the cabinets. All organized and tidy. And on the floor- probably more stuff than was in the cabinets. All expired canned foods, old tupperware, and junk, junk, junk!
“That is wonderful, babe! But make sure you put all the junk in the trash.” I tried my best to hide my disapproval of the huge mess in the floor. I knew that I was going to be the one to finish this project…when all I wanted to do was take a nap!
“And guess what else I did, Mom- I found a bag of birdseed and put it out on the patio for you!” She was all smiles, knowing how much I love to watch birds- something I have not done much lately.
She always knows how to make my day. Simply knowing that she thought about me and did something she knew would make me happy was the highlight of my afternoon! As I finished cleaning up the kitchen this morning, I realized that even in the middle of a mess, there’s always a reason to be blessed! 
And so this morning, after I got the girls on the bus, I found myself running to the kitchen window every time I heard a noise- anxiously waiting for my feathered friends to make their first appearance!
They’re on their way 🙂
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Psalm 136
Two wren “love birds” on my deck
I can tell I am getting older- because I’m starting to enjoy doing weird things. Ok, not completely weird– just different.
Like bird watching.
A wren and a cardinal at my new bird hang-out
My girls came home the other day from a friend’s house with an entire box full of “bird food”- pine cones, smeared in peanut butter and then rolled in bird seed. Yes, it was just as messy as it sounds.
Right before our first snowfall, I placed a few pinecones in each of the empty flower pots that sat on our deck. We woke up one morning to a winter wonderland, and as I cooked breakfast, I heard the sweetest bird singing his little heart out.
Who knew? If you feed them- they will come.
Perched on the railing of our deck, he bobbed his head up and down as he sang out into the back yard.
I watched as his friends began to join him on the deck.
It was the coolest thing. I just knew he was signaling his friends that he found food. I cleaned up the dishes as I watched through the kitchen window. Finches, bluebirds, wrens, and even a cardinal came to the feast.
I have begun to look forward to seeing these little guys every morning. My husband jokingly asked me the other day if I have started naming them…. well, not yet, but now I’m thinking about it!
Bluebirds are a colorful favorite of mine
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26
This little one sings his heart out every morning!!
It makes me wonder what else I have been missing out on all these years. All it took was a little effort on my part, and the return on JOY I have received has been twofold! And to think- these birds have been here all along….all it took was a little bit of seed-throwing and now they are a lovely part of my day.
Remember this–a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 2 Corinthians 9:6
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. Matthew 6:26
It’s the little things that make me happy! In a previous post , I shared how I found a bird’s nest on my front door. My girls and I have been anxiously waiting for these little guys to hatch! We peeked into the nest every day to see how these jelly-bean sized eggs were doing…
And then last week it happened….
I looked into the nest just as they were coming out of their shells!
I peeked a little while later, and they were soundly sleeping…
and then the last one finally made his way out…
And they all snuggled together…
Yesterday, in the wee hours of the morning, I awoke to a loud noise. Thinking it was coming from my children’s room, I quickly went in and checked on them. Everything seemed fine, so I went back to sleep. When I got up to begin the morning routine, I glanced outside my front door to check on the bird’s nest. Much to my dismay, I found the basket’s ribbon had come undone from the door, and the entire basket had fallen down onto the porch. I looked at those tiny baby birds scattered on the porch, and didn’t know what to do. I feared the worst. I got the girls out of bed and told them about the nest. We looked outside and my oldest said “Mom, one of them is moving!” Sure enough, they were moving their little beaks ever so slowly. A friend came over and helped me get them all back into the nest, and fortunately- they all seemed to be ok. I prayed that their momma would come back and take care of them. Before I knew it, I heard rustling on my front door! Momma was back and I don’t think she has left their side.
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2
I have a little bit of “momma bird” in me, too- I like to think that I have everything under control. We can build a happy home, plan and prepare for the day’s events, but sometimes our baskets get too heavy – and they come crashing down. There was no way momma bird could have gotten those babies back into the nest without our help. When my girls were babies I often felt overwhelmed. It was hard for me to ask for help when I needed it. Several years ago, I remember praying for God to help me. My babysitter was sick and I had piano students coming to the house later that day. I didn’t know how it was going to work out- but I had peace in heart. My first student of the day happily babysat for me that afternoon. This was one of the first times I realized that God places special people in our paths to help us. I wouldn’t be half the momma I am without all the wonderful friends and family He has placed in my life! It takes a village- and just like momma bird- we all need a little help sometimes!
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1
Lord, thank You for the sweet reminder to call on You, my Helper, for all things- no matter how big or small. Thank you for Your faithfulness, and for allowing me to catch a glimpse of Your magnificent creation! You are, indeed, a Wonderful Maker!
“He’s Calling”
Sitting with my cup ‘o love (coffee)
I hear a song sung loud above
the news and all the mindless chatter
and my puppy’s paws of pitter-patter
It beckons me to quickly find
the bird that sings on this deck of mine
amid the frosty trees and dew
I’m thanking God for this day anew
Yes, it took a bird loudly chirping for me to turn off the news, to take out my devotionals and spend time with God. My day is always brighter when I spend it with Him. When I went to the window by the deck, I heard many birds singing- almost as if it were spring! I grabbed my camera and couldn’t find the birds. As soon as I took the picture, the birds flew from their hiding places in my ceramic pots on the deck… funny how I don’t hear them at all now. I think He simply wanted me to hear His song-and to remind me to give my morning to Him- and Him alone!
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17
Lord, thank You for Your song this morning! Lord, help me see Your light today. Help me shine light in this dark world, loving others as You love me. Help me to hear every note of Your song today!
I Sing Because I'm Free 