Snowbirds
There
seems to be a party today
before
the snowbirds fly away
for
soon many birds will fly south
before
winter arrives up north.
It
seems as though they're saying “so long”
as
winter will arrive before long.
The
backyard is a-twitter
with
joyful birds who flicker.
From
limb to limb they're seen
then
down to the grass green
perhaps
looking for remaining seeds
for
it's too cold for earthworms, indeed.
Who
has come to the party, you ask?
Some
birds are seen wearing black masks
while
others are brown, black, blue, or gray.
There
appears to be a wide array.
There's
a robin taking a drink.
Off
it goes with a last wink.
Perhaps
he quenched his thirst
before
heading down south.
There's
more than one downy woodpecker today.
Their
red head and upright stance gave them away
as
does their black and white flecks
and
their peck-peck peck-peck-peck.
In
the maple tree is a flock of titmice.
Seeing
them visit today is quite nice.
Their
head crest identifies them
there
balanced on the maple tree's limb.
In
the grass is a pair of mourning doves
then
they fly up onto the arbor above.
Hear
them coo coo
a
song to you?
Chickadees
are dining on sunflower seeds.
It's
a joy to see chickadees all year feed
for
chickadees are northerners;
that
is, known as non-migrators.
Is
that a cowbird there?
It
has a head of brown hair.
That
brown-headed one would be the male.
Less
colorful is his mate, the female.
Blue jays
are heard as they caw
perhaps
saying “bye” to all
who
will be traveling south soon.
Those will be back next year before June.
It
was a delight this October day
to
see the snowbirds before they fly away
to
where the weather is warmer.
They
will be missed this winter.
Come April be on the lookout
for
red-winged blackbirds about
and
robin red breast
building
a new nest.
You
might hear them
before
you see them.
Be
sure to listen as spring bursts into song
heard
early morning and the whole day long.
*
* * * *
How
sad to see the robins migrate south.
How
glad we are when they return north.
How
sad we are when terrible things happen to good people.
How
glad we are when wrongs are righted for all peoples.
When
injustice is prosecuted
and
justice is rightly defended.
When
God's ways
become
man's ways
for
God's ways are right
and
will bring delight.
Jesus
came to right the wrongs.
He
came that we would belong
as
children of the king
and
then that good news bring
to
others everywhere
that
those with griefs to bear
would
learn to have faith
and
finally feel safe
knowing
that God will make a way
for
believing in God does pay.
“In
this world you will have tribulation”
as
learned through every generation,
through
every country and every nation,
for
evil brings about tribulation.
But
“be of good cheer”
the
Lord remains near.
He
knows what you're going through
and
has a solution for you
as
you grow in faith
in
whatever you face.
For
troubles are meant to make us more Christ-like,
to
transform us into being more like Christ.
To
obtain His peace
and
a new lease.
To
have patience the world does not understand
as
you bear your burdens and in faith stand.
To
exhibit kindness and gentleness,
the
Lord's goodness and faithfulness.
To
have a joy that others will see.
To
love despite adversity.
For
when adversity comes
and
we're seen wearing a frown
love,
joy, and peace
are
not released
but
are often restrained
as
we are under strain.
That's
exactly what Satan desires -
to
have your testimony expire,
to
have you and others doubt
God's
faithfulness with doubt.
Be
aware of Satan's many ploys
and
God's song of deliverance employ.
Singing
often lifts
our
waning spirit.
Remembering
God's past faithfulness
will
help us to endure the test.
Sharing
our burdens with others often
solves
the problem and brings a blessing
for
where two or more are gathered in prayer
causes
satan to be gone from there.
You
are loved lavishly.
That
means cherished daily.
God
has a storehouse of good things
just
for you in the form of blessings.
Whatever
has happened in your life,
your
disappointments, your heartaches, your strifes,
are
meant to cause us
to
learn about trust
and
God's faithfulness to us -
His
love richly lavished on us.
How
great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that
we should be called children of God!
And
that is what we are!
I
John 3:1
These
things I have spoken unto you,
that
in me ye might have peace.
In
the world ye shall have tribulation
but
be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John
16:33 (KJV)
“Never
will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So
we say with confidence,
“The
Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid...”
Hebrews
13:5-6
The
fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy, peace, patience,
kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and
self-control.
Galatians
5:22-23
Be
self-controlled and alert.
Your
enemy the devil prowls around
like
a roaring lion
looking
for someone to devour.
Resist
him, standing firm in the faith.
I
Peter 5:8-9
The
righteous cry out and the Lord hears them;
he
delivers them from all their troubles.
The
Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and
saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A
righteous man may have many troubles,
but
the Lord delivers him from them all.
Psalm
34:17-19
He
put a new song in my mouth,
a
hymn of praise to our God.
Many
will see and fear
and
put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm
40:3
If
two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for,
it
will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
For
where two or three come together in my name,
there
am I with them.
Matthew
18:19-20
