No, it has not snowed here recently. This picture is from February, 2014. We ARE currently in an extreme "cold snap", as we say in the South. The temps this morning, with windchill, are in the single digits or below zero.
One of the things I like to do is to follow a pair of eagles who live on the campus of Berry College, in Rome, GA. GA Power, Sony and the Berry folks have made it possible for us to watch the eagle pair, who are usually very active in or around the nest from September through May of each year. If that intrigues you, here is the web address: berry.edu/eaglecam
With all the cold, watchers have worried that the season's first egg, laid on Jan. 5th, would perish in the cold. I watched for about 5 minutes before starting my blog today. Mama Berry (as she is called) was on the nest, hunkered down. Presently, though, she started looking around; she was watching Dad, circling. She got up, flew away, and about 2 minutes later, Dad flew in, turned the egg, and settled himself on the nest for his "shift". It is beautiful to watch these two parent.
All of this made me think of that song, "His Eye is on the Sparrow".
The Bible has some interesting things to say about birds.
Leviticus 11:13 declares that the Hebrews were forbidden to eat certain birds: eagles, vultures, buzzards, kites, falcons...
Many Bible verses mentioning birds, deal with the ritualistic sacrifices of the Hebrews, since certain birds were deemed a worthy sacrifice.
Some of the most beautiful verses, however, describe God's care of the birds of the air.
When Job was questioning God about his troubles, God began to ask him if he was able to hold Creation together. In some of God's questions, He referenced birds.
"Who prepares for the raven its nourishment
When its young cry out to God
And wander about without food?"
Job 38:41
Then, there is this beautiful psalm, referencing birds:
How lovely is the place where you live,
O Lord who rules over all!
2
I desperately want to be
in the courts of the Lord’s temple.
My heart and my entire being shout for joy
to the living God.
3
Even the birds find a home there,
and the swallow builds a nest,
where she can protect her young
near your altars, O Lord who rules over all,
my king and my God.
4
How blessed are those who live in your temple
and praise you continually! (Selah)
Psalm 84:1-3
"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?
And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
But the very hairs of your head are numbered. So, do not fear!
You are more valuable than many sparrows."
Matthew 10:29-31
I was awakened this morning by a phone call from my little bird, my younger son, who lives here at home. Today is his first day of second semester classes at university. His first class does not start until 9:30. But, he could not sleep. So, there is no telling when he left this morning, in the bitter cold! He called me at 7:00 a.m. to ask where a certain parking garage is located. Then, considerate boy(!) called again to let me know he had found it. Sigh!
Our children can cause us to fret and worry, because in most cases they are the dearest souls on earth to us. But, God tells us that we can't, by worrying, add one single day to our lives (or theirs either). Gain peace from Luke 12:25-35.
25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
He uses the birds and in this passage the lilies as examples, to show us that He is in total control. Nothing can touch us, without passing through His hand.
In the screenshot above, posted on Facebook by Mary Jane Shand, you can barely see the mother eagle. She is nearly covered with snow. However, her layer of down feathers protect her and her eggs, as does the snow. The snow provides an insulating layer. The thing is - - - this picture looks like disaster, doesn't it?! Yet...eight days after this picture was taken, an egg hatched.
So, don't worry! Don't fret! Trust in the Creator of all, the Creator of YOU, who loves you more than you can even know.
"His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." (Civilla D. Martin, lyricist; Charles H. Gabriel, composer)
Dear Father, thank you for your loving care of your creation. Thank you for lovingly caring for Your children. You demonstrated the greatest love of all by sacrificing Your Son for me. There is nothing that can cancel out that love because You are my God and my Savior. Circumstances will come and go, and I may rejoice at them or grieve over them. But, You have it all under control. I can rest, under Your wings. In Jesus' name, amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment