The Harbingers of Spring
Tuesday was a beautiful spring-like day! The calendar still said “winter,” but that did not stop the advance of the warm front that came through, nor did the holiday herald a famous “St. Patty’s Day snowstorm,” as I have experienced them in our Upper Peninsula.
I have seen our State bird, the robin, pretty much throughout this snowy winter. I wonder if these fellas ever migrated! Yet, on Tuesday, in the top of my bare apple tree, I heard the particular sweet voice of the red-headed house finch. I should be seeing the return of his buddies, the goldfinches, pretty soon. Looking out our kitchen window the other day, I saw an English sparrow busily pulling grasses out of our flowerbed. Our “feathered friends” are preparing for the return of life to our area.
What brings these little fellas here? Why would they choose to risk building houses in such an economically-depressed State as ours? Don’t they know that Michigan is in an economic slump right now? Haven’t they been informed about our national credit crisis? Are they deriving hope from President Obama’s positive statements, and from the national stimulus package that has recently been passed by our Congress?
I don’t believe these little guys are worried about food shortages or foreclosures, or some inability to “make it.” One of the major reasons is that they are not humans. Humans try to hedge against the unknowns; they set up support systems and back-up systems to those, should they fail. Humans try to set up the best possible environment, one that’s worry-free from the vagaries of life. One’s security and peace of mind are based on human accomplishment and brilliance to head off tomorrow’s unseen hazards. Man is depending on himself.
Oh, how frail that security is! I often say, “If something is made by a human, it will break!” (Am I wrong?)
Our feathered friends have not set up such “fail safe” systems for their tomorrows. They have no worries. In a very real way, whether they know it or not, they are depending on God to provide for them.
Jesus taught us a powerful lesson about birds and peace-of-mind. (Mtt. 6:26 – 34) He also taught us to ask God for our daily bread. (Mtt. 6:11)
That English sparrow reminded me of God’s faithful provision. The house finch reminded me to sing!
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