I saw another bluebird today. I've been watching for their early
arrival for a couple of weeks now. I know poetically the first robin is
supposed to herald Spring, but to me, it's bluebirds. My heart just
opens up and smiles...maybe even giggles a little.. whenever I see a
bluebird in all his feathered finery. I love all the birds that flock
around our home and in our vicinity but the bluebird holds a place of
his own.
His lovely blue jacket, his red/rust vest, his white under parts sets him
apart among the many brown and grey common birds. Sure, the cardinals
hold reign with their brilliant red feather , the yellow goldfinches
bring splashes of sunshine into view, the hummingbirds like little winged
jewels make us stand breathless as we watch their maneuvers in flight.
The little chickadees and titmice and nuthatches and wrens and others
all have a gentle beauty of their own, and I never tire of watching them
as they visit the feeder just outside our window.
I've seen glimpses of them, one or two at a time this past month.
I THINK a couple is setting up housekeeping in the birdhouse by the rail
fence. We'll keep close watch on their activity. Bluebirds are not
really into crowded feeders . They prefer their privacy and really
prefer to find their own meals rather than depend on our seed offerings.
I'm no expert on bluebirds but I've picked up on a few of their habits.
It's like a small new discovery whenever I see one sitting high on a
nearby limb, or pecking at insects that wandered into their territory.
A couple of weeks ago I was having coffee by the fire in the sunroom one
morning and watching the daily aerial show the neighborhood birds and
squirrels were putting on. Then I caught a glimpse, just a glimpse, of
blue. Not blue jay blue,
pretty as that is, but that special blue that said "A bluebird is
nearby." As I watched the single bluebird came closer and hopped onto
the feeder. In a minute here came his mate, not quite so elegant in her
dress but very ladylike in her subdued blues. Then as I watched, the
pair flew to the birdbath, tested the water, then made some unseen
signal and before my astonished eyes here come five more bluebirds and
they all perched side by side on the rim of the birdbath. They all
leisurely satisfied their thirst and one or two began to dip their bills
into the water a sprinkle themselves .
Suddenly one brave fellow jumped right into the middle of the birdbath
and proceeded to take a full bath. Oh, he was enjoying the splashing.
Then another decided it might be fun so he hopped in at the edge and
dipped his wings in . then another...Three birds a one time were
splashing and shaking and dipping and fluffing at the same time while
the rest of the family (I assume it was a family gathering) just sat in
happy approval. After several minutes the original pair fluffed their
feathers and flew away info nearby trees, and as if they had heard a
summons, the five "youngsters" flew in a group to join the others I
tried to keep them in sight with binoculars but they did a magic
disappearing act and were lost to my view in seconds. I just sat and
basked in the luxury and privilege and pleasure of having observed a
most unusual and beautiful sight.
I know this will sound a little weird, or
far-out, but on several occasions, God has
graciously given me an unexpected gift of
bluebirds. It always happens when I am going through a difficult time.
The first time it happened was in the early months after my husband had
gone into fulltime evangelism and our well-ordered, steady
comfortable life as the family of the pastor of a wonderful church we
all loved, was turned topsy turvy. I felt so shaken, somewhat
frightened, isolated and lonely.
We had built a small comfortable home some ten miles in the country and
we fell in love with the quietness, the peace, the open space, the beauty
of nature about us. There is a soothing, a healing, a comfort in such
surroundings. On this day, I had taken the children to school and
returned home alone. I felt so overwhelmed, so burdened, yes, so sad,
I just started weeping uncontrollably, something I very, very seldom have
ever done. I felt I was in a crisis of some sort
but I couldn't consciously pray. (Have you ever been there ? Of course
you have).
As I gained control of my emotions, I
looked out the window into the yard. And suddenly, as from nowhere, there
sailed into view and onto our front lawn a FLOCK of beautiful,
beautiful bluebirds, shining in the sun. It seemed there were dozens and
they literally covered the ground . I stood amazed and transfixed as I
watched . I don't really know how long they stayed but it seemed a long
time. And with their coming there came to me such a flooding of peace
and the indescribable sense of being held gently in the arms of the
Lord. It was His special way of giving me a tangible assurance of His
love, His awareness of the situation, His protection. I had such a
feeling of RIGHTNESS. Gradually the sense of His Presence softly faded
and as if by His command the bluebirds all lifted wings at once and flew
away out of sight. It is a memory I treasure
Several times since then in a difficult or trying situation I have heard
Him whisper
to my heart. "Look for a bluebird."
Now, silly as it might sound, I do just that. When I feel undue pressure
or stress or trouble pressing in, I start looking for a bluebird. Not
always, but sometimes, sometimes....He will direct my eyes and there it
will be a lovely, sweet symbol of tranquility and peace. Even when I
don't see with my eyes, my heart sees a bluebird and sings .How blessed
it is to know the God of Creation takes time to reach down to just one
person...you, me and give a special reassuring touch of His grace .
Maybe you won't see a bluebird, maybe He has another way to comfort and
bless you but look and listen.
One day the sun was shining, skies were blue, a soft breeze was
blowing, spring was in the air I spoke to a friend passing by, "Isn't
this a beautiful day?" He called back to me, "Yes, It's a BLUEBIRD DAY".
May this day be a bluebird day to you as you open your heart to to a
miracle of love from the Lord Jesus.
