Gone to the Birds

Due to an unknown back injury/issue I’ve been unable to ride for several weeks and I’m here to tell you it’s been tough! As you know if you’ve been following my ramblings for long, riding is my sanity, my sanctuary, my quiet time, my most intimate God time. Last week I decided it was time to try to ride even if it was short and I’m so thankful I did. I decided if I was going to hurt it may as well be for a good reason! I’ve ridden a few more times and some riding is definitely better than none. A couple of rides were a little longer than others, but I’m not yet up to the 3 hour rides yet.

The first time I rode, I’d initially gotten my bike out to simply wash it and and add an air cushion seat pad I’d ordered. The more I thought about it though I decided a short ride was definitely in store. What better way to see if the air cushion pad has the right amount of air, right? 😉 I’m so thankful I took the chance and rode.

The corn fields are starting to have that smell of summer to them as the corn is tassling out and it reminded me of going coon hunting with my dad and of shucking bags full of corn for mom to process and freeze for the winter. I saw some beautiful sunflowers in a small garden plot and they brought a smile to my face. There’s just something special to me about their cheery yellow and brown faces I can’t explain and they make me smile every time I see them. In a time when there seems to be negativity and chaos everywhere we look, there is still God’s beauty in our surroundings if we simply choose to look for it.

During the weeks I was not able to ride at all, I still was able to see His beauty in our gardens, watching the bunnies and deer and the birds visiting my little bird sanctuary. One of the most amazing things to me has been watching the hummingbirds. I’ve always enjoyed seeing them and I recently moved their feeders to a location away from where the larger birds eat and also added a feeder that attaches to the window. In the new location(s) I’ve been able to watch them off and on all day from sun up to sun down while I’m working, reading, cooking, painting, and doing dishes. They are truly amazing and beautiful little creatures. As small as they are they’re still able to fly and hover over the feeders whether its sunny, windy, or rainy. Their determination is beyond what many people today seem to possess, something to ponder.

Maybe we need to be more carefree and determined like the birds of the air. As I’ve ridden I’ve watched how gracefully most birds fly through the air and often seem to just glide along without a care in the world. I’ve seen hawks perched on power lines, watching for their next meal most likely, a beautiful bald eagle once just sitting in a field, buzzards feasting on road kill and almost hitting me as they reluctantly flew temporarily away from their feast to avoid being hit, and many smaller birds simply soaring through the air to points unknown. They seemingly all get along and give each other space and respect. They don’t attack each other. I’ve seen little birds chasing larger birds and I’m sure the larger birds could retaliate quite easily if they chose to yet they simply just kept flying, almost as if it was a game to them.

What if people were like that? What if everyone minded our own business, gave each other space, and respected our differences? Most of us have heard the term “bird brain” referring to someone who by definition lacks intelligence or makes stupid decisions. The more I’ve watched the birds, I believe most are way smarter than they’re given credit for and from now on if someone calls me a bird brain I’d take that as a compliment! Birds are far from stupid. Most are monogamous, some just for a season but several of them choose 1 mate for life. They raise their babies and teach them to fly and take care of themselves before letting them go. They’re social and able to communicate through songs and sounds as well as by their actions, such as when males are trying to impress the females during courtship.

Those that migrate may fly thousands of miles, yet return to the exact locations year after year. With Canada geese they work together, fly in v- formation and when the leader gets tired, another goose takes the lead allowing that goose to fall back and rest as the front bird consumes the most energy. They don’t depend on maps or gps or have to stop and ask for directions, they simply know where they’re going. How many of us truly know where we’re going?

God has provided birds with everything they need to survive, do you honestly think He doesn’t do the same for us?

Matthew 6:25-30
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?