Jun
24
2022
Birdsong
Posted in Salvation 4 Comments
The mother of my daughter-in-love came to visit.
She was driving from the South up to New England.
She was stopping along the way to visit with family.
She wanted to stop at our home as well.
I was so delighted that she wanted to visit.
You must stay over, I texted back.
The invitation was welcome because of all the driving she was doing.
The invitation was sincere, since a long conversation over a cup of tea was long overdue.
What a blessing it is when families grow.
What a blessing it is when both sets of parents are like bookends for their married children.
Bookends of support and encouragement.
Bookends of prayer.
She texted along the way with our house being her first stop after a long drive.
I made dinner and decided that we would eat outside.
We talked during dinner and while we had our tea and dessert.
My husband went into his office to work on a few things; she and I talked another hour or more.
We enjoy each other’s company.
I knew that she was so tired from her long drive.
She wanted to call her husband before she headed to bed.
We would continue our conversation in the morning.
I got up to make breakfast so she would be fortified for the long drive ahead.
My husband left for his busy day.
She asked if we could go out and sit on my porch.
That was an easy, Yes!
I sat on the porch swing and she sat on one of the rockers.
So many things to say; so much to catch up on.
She loved how peaceful it is on the porch.
I concurred with her assessment.
We both loved the birdsong that was all around us.
I never tire of hearing it.
The woods are on the other side of the old farm wall.
All sorts of birds sing and call to each other there.
I told her that two out of three hanging plants have bird’s nests inside.
She loves birds and is quite knowledgeable about each kind.
I just love birds for their song.
She listened attentively to the mother bird who perched on the hanging plant.
I would love to know what kind of bird that is, I said to her, not expecting an answer.
I saw her look at her phone.
She was very still.
She got up off the rocker and came over to the porch swing.
She showed me a picture of a small bird that looked very much like the one before me.
It was a type of finch, though there were three possible choices of finches on her phone.
How did you find that? I asked her wanting to know.
It’s an App; I love birds so much and this helps me distinguish one from another.
She sat still while the sound of the birdsong was heard.
From that sound, the App told her what kind of bird we heard.
The tools we have at our disposal, never ceases to amaze me.
One bird, one song, and one App told us the kind of bird we heard.
Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. (John 10:1-6)
We don’t need and App to hear Jesus’ voice.
If we are His sheep, we know His voice.
We will not follow a stranger.
We will run away from one we do not know.
The App recognized the bird who constantly sings on my porch.
In stillness, only the birdsong was heard.
We recognize the voice of our Shepherd.
In stillness, only His voice is heard.
We do not hear Him audibly.
We hear Him through His Word.
Jesus is the Word after all.
He calls His sheep by name, which is sweeter than any birdsong.
The lady who sat on the porch with you is one of my dearest old friends.
I am glad she directed me to your blog!
Our family enjoys the bird ID app you referenced. It is a source of joy to know He cares for the sparrow…and is the Guide and Redeemer of our lives.
Mary Ann,
Welcome to this quiet space. I am so glad you are here. Your friend is very special to me. We were brought together by the marriage of our children and held together by our love for the Lord. Kindred spirits, she and I. Many blessings…
Gina
This makes me think of heaven, where I believe we will be called by name by our God, and also that we will be on friendly terms with our animal friends, perhaps understanding all the myriad birdsongs there will be…
Sue, I do so love the thoughts you talk of here. So much will be made clear then. Our imagination will finally be realized.
Gina