Swing Low, Sweet Slug
As the summer weather continues, I find myself spending more and more time outside on my swing. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the fresh air, soak up some rare Welsh sunshine, and spend time with my furry companion, Tess. I love to use this time to read my Bible, pray, or do some writing. It's my little slice of heaven here on earth.
But recently, my peaceful swing time was interrupted in a most unexpected way. As I sat there, enjoying the gentle rocking motion and the sound of birds chirping, something fell from above and landed in my lap. To my horror, I discovered it was a ginormous slug! Evidently, the slimy creature had crawled up to the top of the swing and either lost its grip or deliberately decided to pay me a visit.
Lessons From the Birds, Part Three
The avian antics at my bird feeder seemed to be an endless source of spiritual insight. From the clever sparrow who found a way around the crowded sides to the persistent little fellow who refused to give up, each bird had something to teach. I love how God does that! As I settled in for another session of feathered observation, I was struck by a new lesson that would make me question my approach to life's challenges and remind me of the importance of seeking God's guidance.
As the last suet ball dwindled, it shifted to one side of the feeder, presenting a new challenge for the feathered visitors. One determined bird caught my eye. Instead of simply flying around to the side where the suet ball now rested, this stubborn little fellow insisted on stretching through the bars, twisting his neck at impossible angles, all in an attempt to reach the food. I couldn't help but chuckle at his ridiculous contortions.
Lessons From the Birds, Part Two
In my last devotion, I shared about the persistent sparrow who refused to give up on getting his share of the suet ball. Today, I want to revisit that scene because, as is often the case with God's creation, there are multiple lessons we can glean from a single moment.
As I continued to watch the birds that day, my attention was drawn to another sparrow—one who took a different approach altogether. You see, while most of the birds were content to jostle for position on the side of the feeder, one resourceful sparrow decided to think outside the box—or should I say, inside the feeder? He flew to the top and went down inside the feeder, allowing him unhindered access to the last ball. Sneaky, huh?
Finding Beauty in Our Brokenness
We can all relate to that feeling of falling apart at the seams, can we? Especially when life throws us curveballs that we weren't expecting. But here's the thing: God can still use us to make beautiful music even when we feel like we’re falling to pieces.
Take the grand old pipe organ in one of our small town chapels, for example. It’s been around longer than anyone can remember, and unfortunately, it's seen better days. The coolness and dampness of the Welsh air have taken their toll. So much so that during a recent service, some of the keys literally fell off while the organist was playing! Talk about a disaster, right? I’m glad I wasn’t playing!!!
Faithful Frolicking
Wales is a dog-friendly place, and our small town is no exception. So, it’s not unusual to see people out walking their dogs at all times of the day. What is uncommon, however, is one particular dog, who is the talk of the town. The rumor is that the dog was born smack in the middle of the lambing season on a local farm and learned to "walk" by imitating and frolicking with those sprightly spring lambs. Can’t you picture the gleeful puppy bounding along beside them?
Well, whether fact or fiction, the dog has a unique gait. Rather than a standard walk, this canine companion essentially HOPS everywhere he goes! It's honestly one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen.