Look at the Birds

"They don't know it's not yet spring," I think to myself as I look out the window.

They are everywhere. These creatures of the air. In the trees. In the neighbors' yards. In my yard. Bobbing their heads up and down in search of food or branches or who knows really...They chatter loudly amongst themselves busying their little bodies with their important mission.

And somehow, I feel sorry for them. I know that winter is not truly over and they may have emerged in vain thinking their bleak winter season was done for the year. But I cannot pull my eyes away from them. I am drawn into their song, their work, their labor, their efforts, their freedom.

"Lord, what can I learn here?

Why am I drawn into this mesmerizing reverie?"

And my thoughts go to these words..HIS words....

“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? 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?

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

Matthew 6:25-26 {NLT}

The birds are not worried about whether winter is REALLY over or not. They are living in the moment, finding what they need for today, from a Heavenly Father who generously pours out His love, attention, care, and even affection on these little ones....


So why do I worry so much? I, who, Scripture says from the mouth of Jesus on earth no less, am "...far more valuable to him..."

I worry about my health.

I stew about the future.

I long for children, and I am terrified at the prospect all at the same time.

I want freedom with my time, but I brood that I will be wasteful of that gift.

I desire community, in my "back yard," and yet, the fear of rejection & pain paralyzes my forward momentum to that end.

Oh! The list could go on and on...I fear. Ha! I think I even worry ABOUT worrying. I know it is wrong. I know I need to trust. And how I struggle with that!

I go back to His words again....

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things,

but you know both God and how he works."

Matthew 6:30-32 {The Message}

Even as I write, I watch the snow beat down upon the these seemingly fragile sprouts, who have not fully realized their potential this year, and they, yet, stand firm, not withered or shaken by the unrelenting frozen flakes falling fast from the sky...

I look deeper into His heart here..."Don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you....YOU {who} Know both God and how he works."

I feel the challenge beating in my heart.

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:33-34 {The Message}

So sing, little sparrow, fly on.

Bloom, precious hyacinth, let your colors show.

Your constant faith and trust in the One who created you reminds me that His relentless love for me knows no bounds, finds no limitations in circumstances...or weather, spans even the greatest of divides to bring healing and restoration to a heart who longs for Him.

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow.

It empties today of its strength.

~Corrie Ten Boom~

The Joy Dare

1000 gifts in 2012

175) That the worst of the sickness did not hit us both at the same time

176) Grace from bosses as the flu continued

177) His faithfulness to sustain me even when my health fails

178) Cranberry ginger ale

179) A blessed nap -- b/c my body RARELY allows me to take one, even when I need it

180) Fresh sheets, blankets, pillow cases {I LOVE that!}

181) The delight of a stomach that works normally after 5 days of fighting the flu

182) A new monthly job {extra income! yay!}

183) The pretty hyacinth blooming on March 1st --> early spring

3 Green Gifts

184) That ugly old green camera bag that carries my DSLR friend

185) The green carpet -- reminds me of the other job that I truly enjoy

186) The pretty green buds poking through the soil

187) Mom's tan booties she left behind for me to wear

188) My army green jacket {one of my favs}

189) My fairly-new black sheer flowery dress/shirt

3 Hard-To-Give-Thanks-For Gifts

190) An empty womb

191) A chronically aching body

192) 4 months {and counting...} of waiting to move into our home

193) The way the fresh snow blanketed the earth for a few short hours

194) The beauty that my OLD zoom lens captures photos with the new camera brain

195) A Sunday evening "pizza run" with my sister

Won't you join me? Take The Joy Dare!

Here is a list of ideas to daily help you to SEE in the midst of the busy days...