Life Together

We realize that our lives are enriched as we draw near to God together. So, please post your comments, prayers, reflections and thoughts after the readings. Use this for your devotions, pray for the author or send to a friend who is disheartened. We'll use the golden rule to edit/remove all posts and comments but please feel free to engage in the Journey On Conversation.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Feb. 28 - Snow and God

(submitted by Cheryl Christman)

Matthew 6: 26, 27 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

The sun is shining brightly on 15 inches of snow and three foot drifts. The temperature is in the teens and the wind chill is below zero. But I’m sitting in my cozy sun room watching as dozens of birds visit our triple-cylinder bird feeder.

Yesterday afternoon I watched as they battled 30 MPH winds that made them hover midair like wounded helicopters until they had to retreat to the nearest tree cavity. They were tenacious, though, and returned at the first sign of calmer winds. I worried about them during the evening as the storm progressed into a blizzard.

But this morning the sun came out and so did the birds. I have counted eleven different varieties so far, one I had not seen before. They are covering the feeder, the ground below, and the nearby bushes, waiting their turn to reach food. I am once again filled with amazement as I ponder God’s providence for these little creatures. Each variety is a different size, a different color, has different markings, and a different song. And yet He has predetermined their needs and designed them to be able to weather difficult circumstances and conditions that could destroy larger, stronger creatures. Yesterday, they were battling for their lives. Today they are singing beautiful songs.

Life’s struggles can be overwhelming. We often feel like we, too, are caught up in a powerful blizzard, blinded and unable to see any farther than a few steps in front of us. It’s at these times that we need to stop struggling and fighting against the unseen foe and take refuge in God’s powerful yet comforting arms. He cares for the birds and He will take care of us, too.

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