Bird Watching
Blacktop road
concrete bike path
old dirt trail
progressively
narrowing
softer on feet
loud chatter
laughter cut by
animated
smile and
silent shush.
Quietude!
cultivate
a quiet mind
watch and
pin your ears
back to protect
waterfowl.
What is not
said is often
crucial
in express
group soul
washing
awe unifies
Creator Spirit
and release
remembrance
of being any
age at all.
Holiness
immersing us
in love
senses heightened
kneeling in the
wildness
O pelicans, Cameron,
shoveler duck, Canada goose,
ring-necked duck, great egret,
blue-winged teal, ibis,
red-winged blackbird,
double crested cormorant,
drake mallard duck, ground thrush,
brown thrasher, eagle, osprey,
eastern toey, mourning dove,
yellow toey, and bald eagle
we are thrilled
to see you flap
your wings
sit on nests
and share abundant
resources.
Dirt paths lead
to progressively
softer
hearts and cues
that life truly
is good!
Acts 2:42-47 (CEB)
Community of Believers
The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. All the believers were united and shared everything. They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them. Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.
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This scripture from Acts describes a utopian community in which they held all things in common. The people are praying, eating, laughing, and crying together. Their entire lives are a witness to their faith. Although we do not spend all our time together, we are still called to be committed to God in all of life. Part of acting wisely and good is sharing what we’ve been given so that everyone has enough. We often consider, how do I live out my faith by demonstrating God’s goodness to everyone?
This past Sunday a group of us walked at Lake Cunningham. Eleven-year-old Paul read Psalm 150 and we were off to observe nature. We felt good to play a part in helping him achieve his Scouting Bird Study merit badge.
We truly appreciate that Tom, our fearless leader, had scouted the trail a few days prior and studied up on the birds. Because he knew the trail, we wisely did not turn around when I suggested we do so. Just around the bend, we identified a bald eagle soaring overhead! Then on the lake we stood in awe of hundreds of beautiful, white feathered pelicans with large black tipped wings. It turns out that this was our best view yet! It truly was a Holy Listening experience.
In our affluent society today, and especially since the pandemic caused us to isolate, loneliness is a huge mental crisis. When we take the opportunity to join small groups, we feel more connected to one another and to God. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is quoted as saying,
My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.
We need one another and find the best part of ourselves when sharing the love and hope instilled in us by Jesus Christ.
May wonder and peace fill your soul!
Marta
Rev. Marta Wheeler
To view or download a PDF version of this devotional, click here: Devotional MW 2023-04-26