It’s a bird feeder for goodness sake… that’s all! At the moment, however, it is a gathering place for some of the feathered friends. A cardinal just landed and systematically ran the wrens out of their place on this cylinder filled with black oil sunflower seeds mixed with some premium select seeds. As he leaves after gorging himself, he is replaced with the choir of wrens again who seem unbothered by the intrusion. Two feeders share the single post. The second resembles a house with a roof and on each end are the blocks of seeds. A redheaded wood pecker hangs to the cage as it peck away at whatever seed he is trying to dislodge. At the base is an old wash basin that I found among the things that were at my grandmother’s house following her death… I took it home holes in the bottom and all. I don’t know she would agree with its bottom being filled with corn, sunflower seeds and various other seeds which provides a gathering place for squirrels.
You will never hear the birds sing if you don’t listen. One never sees the beauty of each individual bird unless one looks. The groupings are never the same and they never repeat themselves… never… unless you are watching birds and listening for them, you miss the music of the moment. There is much to be said for being still. There is much character required in putting your agenda aside and stopping your mind long enough to let the moment happen and you become totally “present” in this moment. There are days when I fight with myself to stay present with someone I am talking to. The phone will ring. My iPad will alert. When that happens my ADHD self kicks in and I want to chase the interruption and when I do I disconnect with what I am watching or from the person with whom I am talking. Which ever, I just lost whatever happened during the interruption.
When Jesus talked to Zachaeus – he was focused on him. There was no crowd, no one else around. He convinced by his presence that He wanted to go home with this tax collector. Because he was present his life was changed. The woman at the well would have been what most of us would have considered simple trash, a woman with no moral strength, and hated by most in the community. However, Christ’s presence with her at that moment totally given to the moment changed her life forever. Nicodemus, a well known well respected teacher in the Jewish community, was confronted with eternal truth and it was received well simply because when he entered the room, the conversation with Nic was all that was on Jesus’ mind at the moment and life changed forever for Nicodemus. I suspect that was why Children really liked Him as well. Children get lost in the moment.
Brother David Steindl-Rast
Brennan Manning quotes Brother David Steindl-Rast (not that I agree with all that Bro. David says… OK?… I like what he said about this… let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater..)and then reflects on that comment. I was stunned by its honesty at this point.
“No wonder,” says Brother David Steindl-Rast, “that so many marvelous children turn into dull adults. No wonder that their wholeness is scattered and their sense of mystery lost.” The good news is that the child within can be recovered. It can happen right now, with something as simple as giving a little one a piggyback ride or walking slowly down the street and listening to the music of what is happening. “Unless you change and become like little children …”(Matt. 18:3). Manning, Brennan (2010-10-12). Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God (pp. 160-161). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
I am still waiting for a squirrel to take me up on the corn. I have skillfully and successfully kept them from the two bird feeders. My history with the squirrels is that they can tear a bird feeder to pieces. I looked up and the choir was back eating and singing and it the sweetest music to my ears.
I wonder what would happen if I decided to give the Lord the same kind of respect and presence that I afford a set of bird feeders?
I share this for those of you who would like to take a minute and remember that He is here!
