FEATHERS FROM HEAVEN

FEATHERS FROM HEAVEN

On one of my recent walks, I looked down on the ground, there was a treasure from my Beloved, a birds feather. When you least expect it, God sends a messenger to open the heart to see things and to feel things. I have seen other feathers of different colors and sizes, but today was different. I began to wonder, when a bird loses a feather, does it alter it’s flight, it’s course of direction? Does it need to compensate for this minute alteration to make it fly perfectly? Will it make it back to it’s nest safety?

Psalm 91:4

He shall cover thee with his feathers and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

My house is in the migration path of the birds flying south for the winter. I see them every fall, the Canadian Geese flying over my house in flocks, shaped in a V overhead. The geese, with their cheerleaders out front honking instructions, keeping everyone together in their proper position of flight. It is natures gift on how they fly in this formation, handed down flock to flock. As they fly out of sight they will land in the reservoir nearby and rest for the night. In the morning they will begin to fly and continue on their journey southward. They have mapped out certain watered areas to rest along the way. I have been blessed to have one close by to watch this spectacle of beauty. God has provided nature with built-in instincts, so delicate, that only the Creator could have thought of the needs of each little creature. For they have been given an inner spirit, to preserver, the challenges given to each. For every little thing, has it’s place and purpose.

In the back of our home, we have a clothespin bag hanging on a hook next to the door. This spring, a bird, ( SPOTTED SANDPIPER ) started to built a nest inside it. I was watching the bird, watching me, who was very adamant that, it was moving in, no matter what. The nest took shape in less than a day, as the birds worked swiftly, gathering twigs and grass. Days past, and then I peeked in the nest, and inside were three small eggs. I lost a clothespin bag, but gained new feathered friends at my back door. Every time I walk by the nest, the birds will give me a tweet or chirp. God’s grace of nature,  mellowed my heart once again.

In June of 1996, my wife and I flew to Seattle, Washington to visit our daughter.

My son-in-law  took  us to see Mount St. Helen’s, which in 1980 blow the top off it’s peak, with a major eruption and deposited volcanic ash in eleven states. On the way up the mountain there are vantage points to view this scenic beauty and to take pictures. As I was standing there, Bluebirds flew close to me and landed near by. I had some crackers with me, and broke off pieces and held out my hand. The birds kept flying over and took the pieces of food right out of my hand. I was amazed at these little feathered friends would be so trustworthy of me. I left this place, feeling, how small things like this, can make your heart soar, like a bird, floating in the air.

PSALM 11:1

In the Lord I will put my trust: how say ye to my soul, flee as a bird to your mountain.

And so,  God has delegated man to be custodians of all things that He has graced us with. It is our feathered friends who grace our Lord’s garden, and it is for us to treasure these gifts with respect and humility. The birds sing their beautiful songs, innocent, and loving, and now and then, leave a feather here and there. A reminder from our Beloved, that His graces, the flotation of feathers are from heaven.

Robert J Varrick

rjvarrick@gmail.com