I Wanna Be a Bluebird!

It has been so hot! Because of the drought, the main attraction for birds in our backyard has been the birdbath instead of the birdfeeder. We have enjoyed watching various birds come for a drink of water. It is always interesting which birds will allow others to drink with them and which ones commandeer the entire bath for themselves. Also, birds don’t all drink alike – some drink in a straightforward manner. I was watching a big woodpecker sitting on the side. He would come up over the side and get a drink and then raise his beak straight in the air to drink the water, and then go down for another sip.

But the real fun is watching them bathe. Some hop into the water and sit, like they just wanted to cool their feet awhile. Other species perch on the side for a time and then wade into the water cautiously, perhaps eventually dipping one wing at a time into the water, then fly off to preen on a nearby branch. What I wait for every evening is the bluebirds – young and old alike come together to bathe. We have had 7 at a time in the water. There is no dilly-dallying around with the bluebirds. They hop right in (or land in the water directly) and flap their wings - splashing with all their might! Water sprays everywhere and they splatter as if their life depends on it. When the first one is good and wet, the others on the side can stand it no longer and they join in with all the gusto they can muster! What fun! The whole bird bath is a blur of wings and water!

When I watch the bluebirds bathe, I am reminded of how we are to live as Christians. We are not to just get our feet wet in God’s love, but to jump right in. The scriptures say, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5. We don’t halfway worship the Lord, but with all our hearts! God does not call us to serve just when there is a big push for missions, but all the time; it is how we live our lives – pouring ourselves out for others!

I think God is pleased when God sees us living this abundant life with all our hearts! Maybe even more pleased than I am when I watch bluebirds bathe!!! Don’t you?

Rain!

It is raining! It has been mighty dry around here… we are getting used to burn bans, and watering plants to keep them alive. At our house, Chris is the one who actually waters the plants outside. He does a great job, but when it is as dry as it has been, it is not easy to water enough to prevent the grass from turning brown. Last night, we noticed that although the big flower bed is still looking good and the herb garden is flourishing (both obviously getting enough water), the Ginger Lily planted way over in the corner is wilting. Even trying to get everything watered, it is easy to miss the one way in the corner!

And then this morning … RAIN!!! I stood out under the patio to watch the rain and smell the rain. I couldn’t help but think that all the plants are happy – the birds seem to be out playing in the rain, too! I noticed that all the grass was getting watered at the same time… ALL the grass, front and back, and the Ginger Lily was getting the same amount as the flowers and herbs! All at the same time – what a great watering system!

The bible says the rain falls on the just and the unjust. God’s love rains down on all of us, those close in and those way off in the corner – no one can hide from God and no one is outside of the love of God! What a great loving distributing system!

Here’s how the system works: God sent Jesus to show us God’s love! and now Jesus sent us… to shower God’s love on all people – ALL people! In the Great Commission from Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus states, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

So that’s the mission – a mission of love for ALL people!

Let it rain!