" . . . When You Move, I'll Move; I Will Follow You . . ."

John 6:26-27
Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

Our "Squirrel-Buster" bird feeder hangs in our front yard for years.  We enjoy being able to watch the birds' activity from our living room windows.  They are quite the messy eaters, so enough seed drops to the ground to keep the mourning doves, squirrels, and chipmunks happy, too.

Recently, I note, with not a little concern, that the birds seem to be consuming their food at an unusually high rate.  I fill the feeder in the morning and, by the next day, the supply is depleted.  How can that be?

When I restock the feeder, I spy a thick coat of seed covering the ground.

It's as if someone has come along, picked up the feeder, and given it a hearty shake, allowing the seeds to spill out in a pile.  At first, I wonder if this is the doing of bored teenagers, slinking around the neighborhood, looking for pranks to pull.

But, then . . .

Standing in the living room, I glimpse a large shape moving near the feeder.  It's a deer.

Just one of many which live in and around our forested neighborhood.  Seeing her nuzzling the feeder reminds me of the time we saw a doe sticking her tongue into the apertures to retrieve some seeds.

Could that be it?  Are deer coming up and butting the feeder?

"I don't care if it's does or dodos messing with the bird feeder," my husband, Danny, declares.  "That food is too expensive to go to waste.  I'm moving the squirrel buster to the backyard today."

Using some clothesline, a pulley, hooks, and carabiners, Danny rigs the feeder so it is high enough off the ground to foil the deer, but able to be easily lowered when it's time to fill it.

"Oh, this is the perfect set-up!"  I tell him when he shows me what he's done.  "I wonder, though, how long it will take the birds to find it?"

"Maybe a day or two," says Danny.  "But, they'll find it, guaranteed."

And, they do!  Not in a day.  Not in two.  But, within the very hour of its location change!

I am so relieved.  And, gratified to know our feathered friends have faithfully followed and know where to come to be fed.

~
Are you letting Jesus feed you with spiritual food?

Will you pray with me?
As Jesus told us, Father, we do not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from You.  May we seek You daily for our spiritual nourishment and sustenance.  Let us follow Your lead and trust in Your ways.  Amen.