Little Bird, Little Bird

by Macy Johnson

“All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.  

They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,

so that all people may know of your mighty acts

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.”

(Psalm 145:10-12 NIV)

There was a little bird on the balcony railing outside my window. She coaxed me to stop, pay attention to her, to nature all around. She ranted for a long time. 

I wish I knew what she said, who she was jibber-jabbering with, what birds might be listening. Her chatter sounded urgent, so important, not a pleasant sound. The bird suddenly stopped gabbing and preened herself under each wing. 

Deliberate flicks of her long beak ruffled her feathers. She shook and flapped her little wings again and again. It was quite a show. She was on stage. Then she stood still, looked around, as if seeking a cue from a conductor, and started singing.  

Her song was lyrical, colorful, not offensive, not urgent like the chattering. Was she singing to God, her Creator? Was she singing to the window, to the house? She most likely wasn’t singing to me. I expected an audience of her peers to gather on the balcony, perch on chairbacks to listen to her sweet solo. But, none came. Too soon the little bird ended her song and flew away, searching for another stage. 

What was God’s lesson for me in that visit from my little feathered friend? I’m surprised I noticed her. Nature bursts around me all day long and I don’t notice. Driving down the highway I ask myself, “Who will ever see that leaf on that tree or those blades of grass?” 

Nature is everywhere, glorying God. I don’t ignore it on purpose, but hesitate to jerk my mind off pressing, temporal things in order to celebrate eternity.

I will pay attention to God’s glory in my natural surroundings today. I hope you will, too!