Coffee pots, rain spots, and bird songs....

"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor do they reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" Matt. 6

What a wonderful image. Last Friday morning, I woke up early and walked out to our front porch. Much to my surprise, it was actually raining. A large smile appeared on my face almost involuntarily as I was overwhelmed with happiness. I ran off to the kitchen to make myself some coffee and quickly returned to my spot by the window looking out. I had a rough night of tossing and turning (one that I'm usually not accoustomed to, since I can sleep nearly anywhere in anyposition and for however long and never wake up for anything other than my annoying, interruptive alarm). I was rather cranky, but once I looked outside, things changed. My eyes wandered upwards to our string of lights we have running the length of our patio overhang. Right there on the corner, balancing on the delicate line, was a large beautiful red-breasted bird. (I can't tell you what it was since I didn't inherit my mom's love for and impressive knowledge of the endless bird varieties, sorry mom). He had just landed on the line and began singing his song with this beautifully pleasant sound...rather ethereal....very calming. I stared at him for not even 5 seconds when all of a sudden this passage from Matthew sprang into my head. "Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink...but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." It took me back for a brief instant to my freshman year Biblestudy where I was going through a painful time of doubt and confusion, and we happened to have a study on this very passage. Since then, the image of the little birds fluttering in and out of my days, a creation by the Creator, fully taken care of...it always comes into my mind.
I began a new small goal as far as my reading goes. I want to read through 1 Gospel a week, then rinse and repeat. (haha sorry, soap commercial tag lines just came floating through my too-easily-distracted head). Last week, I was on Matthew...and conveniently enough, came to this passage the day before the bird incident. What a coincidence, God! So back to the bird, he proceeded to sit on that string of lights for a good few moments, singing his heart out to the gentle patter of rain falling on that early morning. I couldn't help but begin to mull over my life and how incredibly blessed I am. And with that, how utterly selfish I am. I neglect to reflect on all that God's blessed me with--my wonderful health, a close and nurturing family, the ability to be in college, a car that works, computers, books, a shelf full of food, a warm bed to lay my head, utterly the mercy and forgiveness He's given me...and the list is endless. I have been soooo blessed by God that all my needs have been provided for and more so. I take that for granted so much in my life. Especially since materialism and greed runs rampant here in the States, it's easy to think of all the 'things' I don't have and neglect to focus on all the things (tangible and intangible) that I do have, even such basic knowledge about clean water, brushing my teeth, access to fresh foods galor, that so many around the world have no clue or no access to.
Basically, I could go on a whole tirade about all these things, but you get the point. The main small lesson I learned was a humbling one. All thanks to that little singing bird just doing his job--glorifying his Creator--and to the Holy Spirit who opened my eyes to this little devotional moment. To just stop and reflect on how much God has taken care of me, has blessed me, and who still loves me in spite of my horrific selfishness and pride. I can get so caught up in the small little worries about life-all the "ME" times that I have faaar too frequently, about how I don't know what I'm doing after I graduate, about how I'm so anxious about so many things, so many questions, so many stupid emotions. "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." Ps 119:35-37. Although it can be utterly painful, it is so valuable to pray for God to make you humble. To strip you of your pride, so that you can come to him and acknowledge how badly we all need a savior and how powerless I am to do any good or have any change without Him. May I continually seek Him, may I turn away from the traps of this world, the traps of my own sin, and see how great God is.
Thank you, little chirpy birds, delightfully raining mornings, and a coffee pot that takes forever so that I had a chance to learn this small little lesson before it was ready and I began my day. ;)