Last week–outside our small bathroom window–I heard quite the commotion at our lone bird feeder that is suspended by a shepherd’s crook type pole. The familiar chatter told me it was a blue jay. Sure enough, a large male was jockeying for his position at the feeder…maneuvering his body in all sorts of contorted moves that made me cringe merely watching him….at one point he had his feet firmly gripped to the pole trying not to slide down like a firefighter answering the ringing bell in a firehouse! It didn’t help that a night of hard rain had left the pole pretty wet. Endurance and fortitude paid off for our determined visitor and he was able to grab some seed in his beak before flying away. The flurry of action took less than a minute for him to accomplish enjoying a morning meal and gave me an image of my own antics seeking daily nourishment….

Psalm 34:8 says “Taste and see that the LORD is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in Him!” (Christian Standard Bible)

My morning ritual includes rolling out of a cozy bed about 7:30 am…stretch and yawn….use the bathroom and then shuffle my way to the kitchen where hot coffee awaits me (thank you to an early riser husband)…settle into my recliner by our living room window…opened if the temperatures allow…kick back with open Bible and current devotional and begin my day, reading and writing in between sips of my coffee, which by the way, is always black with a splash of cinnamon….poured into a mug that has an inspirational verse on it or is tied to special holidays and seasons…

As I read. As I write. As I meditate, I often think of my fine feathered friends that come to our feeder every morning and throughout the day, rain or shine. These beautiful little creatures have come to rely on our willingness and ability to fill the feeder. They’re clever enough now to squawk like crazy when it’s empty, chewing us out for being negligent. I’ve witnessed little brawls on the feeding posts attached to the feeder along with some birds finding seed that has dropped to the ground. I’ve also noticed that one or two birds seem to become “watchmen” on the rail…their little heads turning to and fro….left to right…looking out for any enemy that might be lurking…namely the neighbor’s cat who visits sometimes….the chickens and ducks from next door who wander over, too. Somehow, our resident chipmunk doesn’t bother them. He’s happy to gather the seed they drop on the deck.

Snuggled safely into my recliner I am pursuing Psalm 34:8. I’m tasting and seeing the goodness of the Lord…His daily provision for our family is bountiful. Vegetable plants we placed in the dirt this past spring are growing nicely, producing slowly but surely. Income for us remains steady and sure…bills are being paid….prayers ebb and flow for friends…their family members…our own family….watchman types of prayer for my community, nation and world. Indeed, I can say that MOST of the time, I am happy in the Lord because I DO take refuge in HIM….

Like our feathered friends who are counting on us for daily seeds in that plastic cylinder…I am relying on God for my own needs..nourishment…encouragement…and renewed hope. LIke that blue jay fighting like crazy to hang on to the pole, I’m clinging tight to God’s Word and His promises…. Lord knows, in a world full of chaos, I…we…. all need what only He offers to those who have put their trust in Him. To ward off enemies that try to sneak up on us, He sends angels to defend and protect. He whispers in my ears and spirit little warnings, much like our tiny birds chirping signals to their friends–”danger, danger”. 

A blue jay clinging to a slippery pole is a good reminder for me to hold tight while pursuing what I’m in search of–peace, hope, nourishment, protection. The small choir of other birds chirping whether they are begging for food or sending out warning signals reminds me to surround myself with friends who have my back. Afterall, no one wants to be the victim of a sneak attack from a sneaky neighborhood cat….or lose their place at the feeder…which in my case, is the Word of God.