It was about the middle of January when we finally filled the feeders with birdseed. I look forward to every winter watching the birds flocked and feast outside of my office window.
We even put out the suet – the type the cardinals, blue jays and downy woodpeckers love.
Dinner is served. The banquet is ready. Come and get it!
But nobody came.
Hey birds – it’s free food. Good and healthy. All are welcomed.
Nobody.
First day.
Second day.
“Where were my birds?” I whined.
Third day. One measly sparrow showed up briefly and then flew off.
Fourth day – nothing.
The fifth day the word must have finally been broadcasted to the neighborhood as at one time more than 50 birds descended onto my deck enjoying the birdseed.
Today, now two weeks later I watched the blue jay enjoying the suet. A male and female cardinal rested on the little tree in the back yard after filling the tummies. Haven’t seen the woodpecker yet but think he may still show. And the sparrows and the wrens– wow have they gobbled up with delight, frolicking outside my window.
Things just took time.
A long time ago when a good friend told me she was moving away and we reminisced about working together and the lessons we both learned. She told me her biggest lesson was to be patient, things take time.
I don’t like waiting. I am so spoiled with instant gratification and immediate “let’s google the answer” expectations. This birdseed lesson reminded me of my glaring weakness.
I knew the birdseed was good.
I knew the birds would be hungry.
I knew.
But I fussed and fidgeted, fearful they would never come.
I forgot that things sometimes just take time.
Not my time. But God’s time.
And that is a lesson I need to continually learn.
What lessons are you learning lately?
I learn so much from watching the birds…..they never cease to delight.
I just love the word delight. yes those birds bring me delight and lots of smiles. Have a great weekend, Jody
I love how our Lord knows us so well that He speaks to us in the ways which are best for us, to help us grow and learn more about Him and our relationship with Him. Thank you for your post 🙂
HI Anita thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Those birds certainly reminded me of a major lesson. Praying you have a great and blessed weekend.
Patience.
It’s something we all lack at times. When something doesn’t go my way, I sometimes get anxious, questioning what went wrong. I become distressed until I remember as you said, Jean:
“Everything in God’s time!”
I’m so happy to know this now. Patience REALLY is a virtue.
I certainly agree Chris – waiting is hard. I think it has to do with control too. We can’t control time so we feel powerless. These birds really reminded me of that. Couldn’t control them either = LOL. have a great weekend.
You said
Not my time. But God’s time.
It reminded me of this column at Wisdom and Life:
http://www.cjpwisdomandlife.com/is-god-delaying-something/
It’s like I said:
The next time you’re waiting for a prayer to be answered, to be granted, to be fulfilled, remember this simple notion:
Time doesn’t exist in the spiritual realm.
Good reminder Chris about time not existing in the spiritual realm. so true and something we often forget
I am so very impatient, too. This is such a good tangible lesson. It is very fitting for my word “watch.” God must have known I need a visual. Leave it to you to give it to me! I always glean so much wisdom when I am here. Love you!
Visual are so important to my learning and growing, Jen. A few years ago while on my annual silent retreat, God asked me to give up my reliance on visual. That was very difficult to let go off but I finally did and He graciously gave them back to me after a while. So I treat every one that come as a special gift – a glimpse of his glory and love. I do ‘watch’ every day the birds outside my office window – one of the better events in a cold snowy Ohio day.. Thanks for commenting Jen. Have a great week.
Memorable analogy, Jean. I, too, must remind myself frequently that good things often take time. God is NEVER in a hurry; I shouldn’t be either. Wait time has its purpose–to refresh, prepare or teach. Patience is probably at the top of the list. Why? Because “patience is a virtue that carries a lot of wait!” 😉
Thanks Nancy. Like Dolly wrote in the comments Trust the slow work of God. Love your witty comment about carries lots of wait. That’s really cute and made me smile. Would make a great post too for your blog. LOL
I’ve written about wait time, too. It’s an important topic, and review never hurts! I’ll put that quote in the “seed-idea” collection, for the future. Meanwhile, remember when you suggested I post about personal psalm writing? That’s tomorrow’s entry!
Oh I can’t wait. The psalms are so powerful and to write a personal one is exciting. Looking forward to your post tomorrow.
Hi Jean! Well, I would definitely say that my husband and I are both learning patience. He has to do so much for me, and I have to allow that. It’s not easy sometimes. I appreciate your message because I have to hear it. To learn again that everything has a season. Everything has it’s time.
50 birds??? Girl, you have one popular restaurant! We’ve used suet packs before, and have gotten woodpeckers. No blue jays though, those are so pretty!
Blessings,
Ceil
Hi Ceil, You are on my daily prayer list to quickly recover. What lessons you are learning and sounds like your hubby is too. I can understand most of the time seasons in life but its the daily minutes and hours that trip me up. LOL
Jean,
Gorgeous photo of the birds…yes, friends and I were recently talking about the line in a poem, “Above all things trust in the slow work of God….” So I relate and empathize…patience…why does it take so long to learn? (wink)
Thanks Dolly. Actually had trouble deciding which of the 100 or so photo of my friendly birds to put on the blog. Interesting you mentioned that quote – one of my favorite and so fitting for this topic. Thanks for adding that to our discussion.
So true! Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Katharine. Thanks for stopping by today. The scene outside my office window is quite entertaining and inspiring. Hope you are surviving all these winter storms.
So amazing the lessons God can teach us through His creation. I, too, love feeding my birds (and squirrels)! Blessings, Jean!
HIs lessons are all around us, aren’t they Martha? The squirrels don’t seem to come into our backyard too much though we have lots of goodies in that seed they would like too.
I would love a birdfeeder but my cats might mistake it for a buffet line! Good analogy.
Hi Kathy We do get a neighborhood cat every once in a while and last year even a hawk stopped by for a bird dinner – I wasn’t too happy with that! But our backyard is fenced in so the birds are well protected most of the time. Thanks for stopping by today.