For Our Amusement and Amazement! 12/1/08

FOR OUR AMUSEMENT AND AMAZEMENT!
The winter of 07-08 we discovered we had actually moved into the snow belt of Southern Oregon. It was not just the snow belt, but the land of snow. Snow started in November and never had a chance to melt, until long into the end of spring and early summer. We were fully dressed in beautiful white stuff that gradually turned into slush with tones of ugly brown stuff with intermittent streaks of gray and white. Even though many were on their roofs removing a disaster waiting to happen the birds were out looking for their regular restaurant haunts. Some were still open as the owners would refill their feeders every morning and evening. Others, were apparently closed due to bad weather. This winter we had an untapped food supply and we were amazed! When the berries were gone the food supply was at Wal-Mart.
We noticed the Robins before the snow, were a little more plump than usual but only to the point that we noticed. Nothing more! Did they know something we didn’t? We have a small tree in the front that has red non-eatable berries. We also have a medium size red berry tree of a different kind on the back patio. Usually in the spring, we have to clean up these berries because the birds never eat them. Not so this winter! A good size flock of Robins found our back yard their winter resort and their size doubled throughout those winter months. Their red/orange chests protruding almost to the ground, were amazing! One Robin took possession of the ground under the wheelbarrow planter. When other Robins wanted to join him, he became aggressive and chased them away.
It appears to me that while eating the worms we grow in our front yard, the Robins stay slim and trim. But because the worm café was closed, they were eating only dessert and believe me it was beginning to show. Along with the Robins we have noticed much smaller birds eating right along with them. There is no segregation within the fine feathered friends at the dinner table, unless you are trying to eat off each others plate.
Whenever I ask Jim; "Why did God create that"? Usually it is regarding a plant, an animal or anything that appears unusual, funny or strange. He always says; "For our amusement and amazement"! Well, we certainly have been amused and amazed at the nature displayed in our yard. I have worried so much about the snow and the problems and the danger that it brings, but the snow has brought to these birds joy, delight and of course berry’s.
I remember my older brothers and sisters talking about the depression. They summed it all up with; "We never really knew we were in a ‘depression’ because we always lived like that". Today the news media tell us that we are in a recession which of course leads to a ‘depression’. Gas has been high, prices in the super markets are increasing and many homes are being foreclosed upon. I wonder if that means we are living within our means and the means are just not enough or if it means we have been living beyond our means and our supply is getting pinched because of wanting more than what we need.
In Matthew 6:25 God tells us; "Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink. Further on He says; "Look at the birds of the air, they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?"
My favorite is 34; "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day". Let us enjoy today! Let God fill us with amusement and amazement and not be filled with anxiety. Let’s feast on the berries of life with joy and anticipation. Praise God for today! By: Jane Ann Crenshaw 1/25/08