“Sometimes in our lives we all have pain. We all have sorrow...lean on Me when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on.” This is a song by Bill Withers called “Lean on Me” released in 1972. They aren’t Scripture - just comforting words of a song. But, I feel that Jesus tells us the exact same words when we are experiencing sorrow or pain. Jesus is always our friend and there for us.
I am in ICU right now with my Mom after she experienced a fall. Things do not look good for her to recover so it is comforting to know that I can lean on Jesus.
When I have gone outside of the hospital to get a breath of springtime before I return to ICU, I have seen different birds on the ground and in the trees. They make me think of happier moments and I realize that I would just love to fly away with them. Have you ever felt that way?
The Bible uses all sorts of birds to accomplish God’s will on earth. Birds are mentioned as food. The Lord brought lots of “quail” to the Israelites for food when they were wandering in the wilderness.
He used birds to minister to people. A “raven” brought Elijah food when he was depressed and physically exhausted to help him recover.
“Doves” were used to signal to Noah on the Ark that the land was drying when they brought Noah the olive branch.
Many people feel that the LORD has sent Cardinals to them. They have lost a precious loved one and the Cardinal was sent to comfort them during their time of loss.
There is a poem to this effect called “The Cardinal’s Song.”
“I know God must have sent my way the Cardinal that I saw today, that songbird with a crested head in the colorful, vibrant shade of red. A sign from Heaven, could it be? A sign of hope to comfort me?...So when I hear the Cardinals song, I know you’re home where you belong. And even though we are apart, you’ll live forever in my heart.”
Birds are very peaceful to watch. It is no wonder that God would use them to comfort us.
I get very relaxed and feel God’s presence when I am outdoors listening and watching the birds flying about. I get a real rush when I see a new bird come to my yard. A Towhee came to my yard last week for the first time. I didn’t get any great photos, but still I got to see one. I was so excited that you would have thought the President had just given a special visit! I told anyone that I could get to listen to me!
Amy Chillag of CNN.com says, “For me, the excitement about birds is year-round. Few things pull me out of a funk like the sudden appearance of a bluebird in my backyard...The sound of birdsong and rustling leaves lead me to take a deep sip of fresh air, and the tightness in my chest disappears. My spirits, low since my mother's death, lift for now. I look skyward for the next flutter.”
Being outside, soaking up fresh air and sunlight as you watch birds enjoy their day can lift people right out of their sadness and gloom. It is medically and spiritually good for us.
No matter what you may be going through, and I feel pretty sure that everyone reading this has something going on in their lives, I know that if you will choose to make time to “Look at the birds of the air...” Matthew 6:26 that you can soar on the wings of eagles.
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