Gifts Outside My Window

Both my neighbor and I feed the birds.  I hang a hummingbird feeders from the edges of my ramada, and she suspends ones with seeds from the sides of her back porch.  Of course, her bird friends are much more vocal than my little hummers.  Especially, when my window is open, I can hear them as they have their breakfast, loudly singing and chattering with one another.

I hear those birds, I know they are there, but I can’t see them.

It’s much the same with God.  I can’t see His face as I see the faces of family and friends, but I know He’s here.  He gives me evidence of His presence in so many ways.  I see proof of Him in His creation, even looking only as far as outside my window – sunlight, mountains, trees, even those hungry birds as they fly to and from my neighbor’s feeder.  I hear His voice in the thunder and the wind and the rains.

I can’t see Him as a physical being, but I know he’s here and that He’s with me all the time.  All I need to do is look outside through my window.

… I will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Joshua 1:5b

I’m Counting in the GBBC Today!

GBBC – The Great Backyard Bird Count!  The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.  The website is http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ and has been going on since Friday.  Today is the last day.

Yesterday I only spent 15 minutes on the front “yard” and counted three Rock Pigeons, ten field sparrows and two house sparrows.  I watched in my backyard for 15 minutes and counted one White Wing Dove and four Rock Pigeons. I may spend some longer chunks of time counting today.

It’s very relaxing for me.  I park my powerchair either out back if it’s not too windy…I can watch the front through the window when I’m sitting at the computer.  And that’s also one of the primary ways I take pictures of these feathered friends—I shoot them through the window.

So, if you like birds and have some time today, you may want to check out website and take 15 minutes (or MORE!) to count the birds!