Traffic was surprisingly light. Signal lights that typically slow my morning commute were green, and there were few travelers impeding my progress. The rumble in my stomach convinced me to enter the drive through and grab a fast hot breakfast I could enjoy once I reached my office. The sun was shining. The temperature was mild. It was Friday and payday. What better way to start easing into the weekend! All seemed well in my world until I reached the office …
My plans for a productive yet easy-to-manage day came to an abrupt halt! Multiple high priority items came in rapid fire succession. Organizing my thoughts and following up on messages morphed into a frenzied rush of adrenaline. Deadlines were approaching quickly. My otherwise calm demeanor quickly declined into near panic. Then one application after another began to lock on my computer. I moved from one task to the next in a feeble attempt to gain momentum and traction. Yet everything failed!
Eventually personnel from the IT department explained the unusually frustrating situation. All of my best efforts had not been enough to assure progress. Impatiently waiting as the tech commandeered my workstation, my mind drifted back to my morning commute. You just thought it was the start to a wonderful day, huh? What a joke! Little more has been accomplished than spinning your wheels, stressing your nerves, and merely adding on to your ever growing follow up list. Grrrrr!
Maintaining a calm presence as much as I could manage, I quickly realized I needed to step away. I did not want my mind or words to descend to depths from which I could not recover. Progress was not being made. Time was passing. The deadlines were not moving. But I was powerless to push forward.
The best thing I knew to do was to walk away. Take an early lunch. Give myself a moment to breathe –and pray. Thankfully, I had errands to run during lunch. I reasoned that some sense of success could be realized that would satisfy my inner need for progress. And success was met.
Before long I returned to the office somewhat mentally refreshed. Finding a parking space was easy since it appeared many opted to work from home. I decided to lay the seat back in my car and view the sky through the sunroof for a few minutes before returning to my desk. The sky above was a brilliant blue. It was clear with only a few clouds visible through the windows. I began to relax and pray, knowing I could easily get on the ever spinning wheel again and exhaust myself with little to show for it. My thoughts led me to consider God’s goodness. I was reminded that He is always with me and His Word reminds me He knows what I need.
Soon thereafter, a flock of birds flew above me. They came from the south and quickly disappeared into the north. Before long they returned going the opposite direction. They were flying rather low and I could see some birds flapping their wings rapidly, just as I had done when trying to complete tasks. Others flew overhead with wings outstretched, seemingly gliding through the sky. As their flight pattern kept changing, eventually there was a group flying north that met a group flying south. It was truly a remarkable sight to see.
Are you providing me with this bird show, Abba? I thought as I enjoyed the distraction. The grand display lasted for several minutes and I marveled at the winged creatures. I playfully wondered if the flock had held a meeting and decided it was time for flight exercises. It there was a leader that most followed. Yet a few seemingly could not keep up the pace. Some flapped wildly following the leader. Others seemed to enjoy a leisurely pace, soaring without distraction behind the others. A few landed on a nearby road sign. Most flew alongside others although a few went solo. Each seemed to focus on their flight, back and forth and back and forth. They looked energetic yet carefree.
Before long in His ever gentle and loving ways, God reminded me of how much He cares for us. The words of Jesus came to mind:
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:24-31 niv
He knew I was struggling and trying not to stress. Yet time kept passing and progress was nowhere near. When He sent the birds to perform a flight show within my view, I sensed His peace envelop me. He reminded me that I am not doing life alone. And neither are you. He is for us. He is with us. And He wants us to succeed – perhaps even more than we do at times.
The simple sight of birds in flight can be a gentle reminder that all will be well as we follow Him. So as we approach the next busy season, let us remember the lessons of the birds, whether many or few, and be reminded that He cares for them and us, too!
Reflective Resource: The resource below is recommended for your continued encouragement.
It was an honor to contribute the commissioned piece, ‘The Birds,’ to this Guideposts Anthology: Embraced by His Light
When God’s light shines on us, we receive blessings of every kind—from small, uplifting reminders of His care to dazzling experiences of joy. In Embraced by His Light, people who have been surrounded by God’s love share their stories with us. From encounters that showcase God’s divinely perfect timing to moments where God’s love arrived in the form of comfort from good friends and family, He was there to speak to our writers’ hearts and guide them in the right direction.
No matter where these stories find you, let them be a blessing that brings you into God’s loving embrace.
Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Embraced-Light-Gods-Constant-Presence/dp/1961251744
Blessings,
WarrioroftheWord / tanja dufrene
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