For several weeks this spring we enjoyed a special visitor to our home, a male cardinal.
At least once each day he perched on the window sill above our front door. His head would cock from side to side as he considered his reflection in the glass. Then he would flutter upwards, sometimes as high as two feet or so, his wings batting against the window.
No doubt he thought the reflection was another cardinal, and he wasn’t about to allow an interloper to move in on his territory!
Every morning I heard his fluttering wings against the glass and stood to watch his proprietary dance.
What if he hurts himself, I thought. Too bad I can’t communicate with the little guy, and let him know his fight for territory is unnecessary.
M-m-m-m.
We humans ARE capable of receiving communication. And God has graciously given us his Word–full of infallible wisdom–so we don’t waste time and energy on worthless pursuits.
Too often, though, I am like that little cardinal, fluttering my wings in a frenzy of self-gratification, or questions that have no answers, or worthless contemplation of what ifs. The results are as unproductive and meaningless as territorial rituals with a nonexistent rival.
Unlike that red bird, I can understand instruction, but sometimes I fail to pay attention.
It’s not as if God hasn’t clearly explained through many scriptures the way to peace and contentment. Some are embarrassingly familiar:
Do not fret…Trust in the Lord and do good…Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this (Psalm 37:1-5). [So, it boils down to this: Am I going to believe that God will do what he says? Am I going to lean into him and trust?]
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). [That principle applies to gifts of time and effort as well as monetary. And just how often does the giver experience more blessing than the receiver? Almost always!]
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and you minds in Christi Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). [Note to self: Focus on your all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise God. He is bigger than any problem, any need.]
Instead of beating my wings in a flutter-frenzy, I want to take inspiration from another activity cardinals are known for: singing!
I lift my voice in praise to you, my God and King!
Your majesty and greatness are beyond comprehension,
yet you care for me.
You extend your mercy to forgive,
your grace to provide,
your wisdom to direct,
your strength to uphold.
Everything you do is right.
May my heart be steadfast
to trust you and follow your Word.
Turn my heart toward your ways
and away from worthless pursuits.
If I’m serving and singing, I won’t have time for flutter-frenzies!
(Photo credits: http://www.planetofbirds.com; http://www.coldhandswarmearth.blogspot.com.)
From the Inside Out 
Dear Nancy, You are such a blessing to me. Your words just what I need.
The word. I wonder,– are you putting all your blogs in a book? That would be a best seller. Love you, Thanks Tedi
Thank you, Tedi. I greatly appreciate your encouragement. It’s possible, I suppose, a collection of posts could become a devotional book. We’ll see where God takes this!
Love this!
A few years ago, there was a young male Cardinal that staked out territory here. For two seasons he continually flew into my son’s window, the car mirrors, and even tried to buzz *our* towers as we were in the yard.
We nicknamed him “Loco.” 😛
Sounds like you know exactly what inspired this post! Thank you, Jennifer, for stopping by, and for being such a loyal follower.
“flutter frenzies” sounds like an apt description of our attempts towards Jesus…thanks for this, Nancy.
Oh, yes–sounds like a prompt for another blog post. Take it away, Jody!
In my condo area we have a Woodpecker that comes every year and he sharpens his bill on the metal gutters, that is how we know he is here. Amazing how God takes care of us and all his creations.
Is THAT why they hammer on metal?! I wonder if there’s a lesson to be learned from that woodpecker-habit? It IS amazing how God takes care of us all, and well worth remembering every single day. Reminds me: Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowledge (Matthew 10:29-31)! Praise God!
I love cardinals too and love this lesson you found in just watching this little bird. What a great message.
Thank you, Jean. I so appreciate your affirmations and encouragement!
Cardinals are one of my favorite things of spring. Last year one landed on my car window and just sat there looking at me for a few moments. It was a reminder from God to simply slow down and see the beauty he puts before us. Great post!
Thank you, Tresa. You enjoyed a close-up and personal visit, didn’t you! There’s something about such moments that brings our hearts closer to God. Thanks for sharing about yours!
Flutter-Frenzies, a very apt description for what I have been addressing via prayer and this blog for over a year. I have learned that to worry about things over which I have no control is a serious waste of time and is an act of rebellion against the Lord for not trusting him completely. I have also learned that by God granting the desires of my heart really means that by living in communion with the Lord…his desires for me become my desires. It does not mean that I’ll get everything I think I want. I spend a lot of time on Facebook but I consider it to be my way of ministering to people who would not have a chance to hear about the Lord any other way. Also this past week I found a picture in one of my Dad’s yearbooks of an elderly couple; on the back of it is says ‘please return to R. E. Boyce’. Years ago I was in a youth group where there was a guy with that last name. I called him and he said that it was either his Dad or his Uncle in the picture…so I am mailing it to him. What a blessing that was for me. And finally, I had been thinking about cardinals around the time you were writing this post. I had found an albino male cardinal on FB and thought…how beautiful! Then seeing the cardinal right at the top of this blog…well it made me feel so connected to the Lord and to you.
I love hearing how God is using you, Cheri. You are planting seeds near and far, my friend! And oh, how it warms my heart that through this blog we have reconnected, while sharing our faith-walks!
Thanks for the encouragement, Nancy! And I, too, have been grateful reconnecting you, especially through HIM!