We were enjoying a weekend away at a friend’s home on the Tennessee River. Each morning, I found myself in the black leather chair tucked in the corner at the window’s edge, overlooking the deck and beyond it – the river. The leaves were falling and boats were going up and down the river. On that Sunday morning I sat quietly looking out at the sunny fall day God had created, desiring to be still and hear from Him. I had paper in hand, my Bible beside me, and I was sipping on a cup of hot tea gazing at the calm and beauty that lie outside those big glass windows.
I began to observe a large white bird hovering over the still water cast against the bright blue glistening fall sky. He flapped and flapped his wings as he circled over the waters. Circling closer and closer to the surface, all at once he swooped down into the river and back up again. Did he catch it, I wondered?
I watched him for several minutes on the edge of my seat; suspended as if I were watching an old thriller movie. He was once again intently focused on the water and then when I least expected it, he would swoop down again. As I watched, he began to make his way down the river behind the trees along the water’s edge past the point. Within minutes he returned and when he did, I noticed something; he was flying at a higher level, not focused on the water at all. His wings were stretched out and often he just soared on the wind, without any effort. I realized that at that moment he was satisfied; he didn’t have to work now; he could just rest and go with the wind.
The verse came to my mind, “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow nor reap, nor gather in barns, and yet Your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:26 I doubt that that bird woke that Sunday morning concerned or worried as to what he would eat that day. After all, the river was full of fish, the trees and plants along the water’s edge full of berries. God knew when He created the earth what the birds of the air would need to survive. He knows what I need, what Mark needs. So, why do I worry or fear? If my Heavenly father loves the birds of the air so much that He would feed them and provide for them- how much more He loves me, one created in His image- His child!
I was observing my grandsons on a recent visit to Dallas. They popped out of bed each morning and began to play. They didn’t ask Kelly, their mom, if they would eat that day or what they would eat. They knew they were going to be fed; their daddy and mommy would see to it. They had nothing to fear, just like the beautiful white bird I was observing that Sunday morning who had no concern for his daily provisions.
Father, oh that I would soar on the wind each day satisfied and content with what You have already provided for me. Oh, that I would pop out of bed knowing My Abba, my daddy, has already provided everything I need for each day- there is no need for me to fear.
“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat? Or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For your Heavenly father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33
“Do not fear for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 and 13
dianne