Lessons From A Backyard Feeder: Safe Haven

For over twenty years, birds and other creatures have been coming to the feeders in our back yard. Most of the time, we simply enjoy their amusing antics, but every so often, they have a lesson to teach to us.

Psalm 91:4 – He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care; his faithfulness will protect and defend you.

The types of birds who frequent our feeders do not vary much from year to year. On occasion, we see something unusual – a rose-breasted grosbeak, a family of partridges, or a mourning dove. A curious fox even climbed up into the tray to see what was so interesting!

One Christmas, a varied thrush came to our feeder. The bird, with its bright orange breast and black "necklace", is usually found on the west coast. (We are on the north shore of Lake Superior.) We assume that a severe winter storm had driven this bird well off its course. A month-long period of extremely cold temperatures began the day after the thrush arrived. In spite of having lost its way, it found a haven in which to stay until the weather improved and it could safely return home.

We encounter many "storms" which can throw us temporarily off course. How good it is to know that God also provides a safe haven for us!

Prayer: Lord, when we are troubled by the storms of life, help us to remember that we will always be safe in your care. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.