"Here I Am" I said; "send me!"
Isaiah 6:8
Isaiah 6:8
Though winter is still upon us, nature is quite busy. The coyotes continue to prowl the woods and howl each night, the trees are resting but gaining strength and sustenance through their root s systems, the birds are still frequenting the suet cages most of the day, the deer wander about (mostly at night now) as evidenced by the numerous tracks seem in the snow. And Mother Nature has reminded us of winter anew (when many of us are longing for spring) as she provided us with a fresh covering of two to three inches of "lake effect" snow this morning. That's one thing about nature - it does not forget what season it is and what is supposed to be happening.
My little bird friends - the downy woodpeckers and chickadees are such a delight to watch. The other day I observed them once again during one of many daily trips to t
he feeders and suet cages. The woodpecker, at first perched high on a branch, appeared to be watching and waiting for the chickadees to show up before fluttering down to begin feasting on the suet. Sure enough, by the time Mr. woodpecker began his suet meal the chickadees had arrived and took their posts on the snow at the bottom of the tree awaiting their dining pleasure. I mused that this little woodpecker had not forgotten his other feathered friends and their need for nourishment.
he feeders and suet cages. The woodpecker, at first perched high on a branch, appeared to be watching and waiting for the chickadees to show up before fluttering down to begin feasting on the suet. Sure enough, by the time Mr. woodpecker began his suet meal the chickadees had arrived and took their posts on the snow at the bottom of the tree awaiting their dining pleasure. I mused that this little woodpecker had not forgotten his other feathered friends and their need for nourishment. It's pretty much a given that our lives get busy, either by design (our own making) or circumstances that simply happen or change, or both. And many times we come to discover we have been so caught up in what we're doing and what is happening to us that we lose sight of what is going on in the world around us - our immediate surroundings, our communities, our world. But sometimes we just forget about, or become desensitized, or even ignore what is happening to our sisters and brothers of the world. The new stories of the devastation in Haiti have diminished greatly over the past week. This morning there was one lone, small article placed near the bottom of the page of the New York Times online. Maybe it's that the media just doesn't want to "dote" on the Haitian stories any longer but...the "buzz" of the national media is in part focused on the upcoming Super Bowl and those oh so expensive commercials. Though entertaining, it does give one something to wonder about: how can we (compainies/insudtries/media) really justify the astronomical costs and spending on advertising for this one "main event" when that same money could be put to so much better use in helping others in need? How about the Haitians who continue to struggle so desperately for life and health and shelter? How about the people in our country and world who live in severe poverty day in and day out? How about the school systems in our communities, states and country who are struggling with budget deficits causing even more upcoming job and program eliminations? And so many more...
Would we as a nation or a society really rather focus only on ourselves, our busy lives, and our own needs (real or perceived) and look away pretending those issues/people do not exist ? Or... as a nation founded on Christian values, might we resolve to live those values and, like my little woodpecker friend who offers daily sustenance and nourishment and life to the little chickadees, give as we are able and of ourselves with care, concern and compassion for the benefit and very life of those who so desperately need what we have to offer?
Peace on the Journey.
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