Avian Ado

It was such a beautiful day I decided to sit on the patio and read.    Our patio also has bird feeders which we faithfully keep well stocked.  But my presence was not appreciated by the birds.  A catbird, newly back from the south, sparrows and chickadees took it upon themselves to scold me for “violating” their space.  It was difficult focusing on the text of my book because of the avian ado.  I finally gave up and came back inside.  Strange they never scold me when I am filling their feeders.

I think this story illustrates itself.  God feeds us. “Give us this day our daily bread.” But there are times we really don’t want Him bothering us.  We have lives to lead.  We want to do it ourselves.  We use the power of choice that He has given us to forge our own path.  Forget the “He leads me in paths of righteousness.”   We are so like the birds.  Keep the food coming and then go away.

Often times when I officiated at a wedding I made a perfunctory appearance at the reception and then disappeared.   I noted that my presence was stifling the party.   I have also listened to people complain when times grew difficult but never heard those same people being thankful when times were good.  Being thankful is such a mentally healthy thing to be.  When we are thankful we are aware of the good things that we have or are happening.  When we are thankful it is difficult to be pessimistic which is an illness.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Philippians 4:6

Written by Roger Bothwell on May 5, 2015

Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574

rogerbothwell.org