Who knew a couple of weeks ago that our weather was finally going to resemble Spring? Now that we just completed our “Spring Ahead” night, it definitely seems appropriate. However, for the past several weeks when it was still chilly, whenever I’m outside, I’ve noticed that the birds are very active and chirping amazingly loud. They don’t stop! It’s almost as if they have some reason to be excited. Is this because they’re enjoying the warmer temperatures or could it be caused by something else? Do you think they have the capacity to be thankful? If they can, shouldn’t we do the same.

So much is going on around the world right now that I imagine many people are worried, anxious, and wondering what’s going to happen next. There’s so much suffering going on in many places that people are negatively affected. In this environment, how can we be thankful, and why should we even try? Well, Pastor Rick Warren spoke to that mindset when he said, “There’s always something to be thankful for.” Let me start – I am thankful for my family, good health at my age, an active church where my husband and I can worship and help serve the community. You get the idea – thankfulness can promote happiness. An article in a Harvard Health study supports this and stated that regularly practicing gratitude fosters a more optimistic, emotionally stable, and fulfilled life. 

Returning to the subject of birds, the Bible says that God cares for them. In Mathew 6, it says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?”

I need to remember that God is in the business of caring for me as well as those chirping birds, so I can “Cast all my anxiety on Him for He cares for me.” (1 Peter 5:7). If you want another example of our heavenly Father’s protection, look at this verse from Psalms 91:4 – “He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.” How birdlike! I am thankful to have Him looking after me in times such as these. I hope you are too.

God bless – Sue