Tuesday, January 21, 2014

The Feast is Prepared!



Luke 13:29
People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

My husband, Danny, and I enjoy feeding our backyard birds and, indirectly, the many squirrels which inhabit our forest.  Our squirrel-buster bird feeder pictured above and featured in a previous post regrettably gave up the ghost several weeks back.  Danny wastes no time acquiring another one from our local big box store.



What a beauty!  We hang it exactly where the old feeder was, and soon, the birds resume their feasting, and the squirrels gather beneath the feeder to snatch up any seeds which fall to the ground.

There is only one problem.  The perches on this new feeder are smaller than what we had on the older model.  While small birds, like chickadees, nuthatches and wrens, are having the time of their lives, the larger birds, cardinals in particular, are finding this new arrangement awkward and prohibitive.  Within a day of installing this new feeder, they quit coming altogether!

We are distraught.  The weather is frigid and we are worried that our cardinal friends who have become so dependent upon this food source could suffer.

"I know what we can do," says Danny.  "I'll just go back to the store and get a second feeder, one with a bigger place to perch."

And, so, he does.  Isn't this the cutest thing ever?



We hang it on a pole not far from the bustling feeder, confident that it will soon get noticed as an alternative, and attractive, feasting place.  An entire day passes with no takers.  We even rake away leaves and spread birdseed on the ground beneath it to attract the squirrels which, in turn, we hope will capture the birds' attention.

But, it doesn't . . .

"Here's an idea," Danny says.  "Let's put the feeder the birds like on the pole and hang the red one in the familiar location.  Maybe, that will do the trick."

But, it doesn't . . .

All right, to be fair, a few brave, bold birds do perch briefly on the little red house, but the chickadees still swarm the elongated feeder which looks more like the one they've been used to.  And, the cardinal?  He sits on a nearby branch looking forlorn and confused.  We feel sorry for him, but realize, of course, that he will have to somehow figure out this new feeding arrangement on his own.

In the end, it isn't until we allow the preferred feeder to run out of seed that the little red house sees substantial traffic.  At long last, our backyard birds discover a sumptuous feast which was ready and waiting for them all this time.



We finally decide to hang both feeders on the same line.  Working!

~

Just like the birds, we can be such creatures of habit, so used to looking at things one way that we miss God's call to see with His eyes.  When we are too busy gathering up the crumbs under the Master's table, we forget that, just above our heads, a feast has been spread, one to which we have been lovingly invited.  Because, the Lord doesn't want us to settle for crumbs; He wants us to have life and live it abundantly.

~

The feast is prepared!  You are invited!  Will you attend?

Prayer:  Loving Father, You have called us through Your Son, Christ Jesus, and Your Holy Spirit to feast on Your Word and rejoice in Your grace and salvation.  May we always seek Your kingdom first, knowing You will provide for our needs and help us to live the abundant life You have planned for us.  Amen.

10 comments:

  1. Sometimes as they say, Martha, you can't see the forest fir the trees. What's in front of us can be challenging to discern. Your story brings that fact out better than anything.
    --
    Chris

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    Replies
    1. Chris, you are too kind! I know I've been guilty of not seeing something important when it's as plain as the nose on my face. In this year of "watch," I'm really praying that God will open the eyes of my heart daily to see His incredible feast.
      Thanks so much for visiting!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. Great post, Martha! I wonder how many times I totally, completely miss the feast the Lord has prepared for me?

    Love and blessings,

    Kim

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Kim! Oh, I know I've missed out on many occasions; part of being human, I suppose, but definitely not the best part at all!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  3. This was a really amazing post. It made me really think...am I missing out on the feast or am I in tune and will realize the feast was there all along for me to enjoy. This is profound and I love it. ♥

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    Replies
    1. So glad you came by, Kathy, and that this post had you reflecting upon whether or not you are enjoying the feast He provides. As for focusing on the crumbs, I'm to often guilty as charged. May we all seek the feast instead. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Oh Martha, I love this post...I feed the birds too and God has taught me some precious lessons as I watch them. My only sorrow is that we live too far south in California for red birds. We even have a couple of pesky squirrels that come around.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for visiting, Betty! Glad to know you are a fellow bird watcher and that you enjoy feeding them. We've had a time with the squirrels, too, but they can't easily get on these feeders the way we have them rigged. I always make sure to leave seed on the ground for them and for the mourning doves. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  5. I love what you wrote here. I remember that bird feed post ;)

    In our conference on Paradigm shift, we were told how intelligent our animal life forms are... and even our formators would tell us that the Lord created them for survival skills and adapt to seasonal changes... I saw migratory birds in Davao the other day on TV. They settled here because it's too cold in their place...

    Anyhow... I was amazed at the reason why the birds didn't come to the new feeder (it is so beautiful!)... Truly fascinating!

    Thank you for this wonderful reflection. The Lord really loves us ~ how generous He is to us. I pray with you!

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    1. Melissa, the birds finally got the hang of what we were offering. I think your counselors were correct in telling you that when we offer a "false" offering, they refuse to find their own answers. Maybe, this is selfish on my part: Wanting to see the birds and enjoy the squirrels feasting.
      Yet, I am reminded of the feast the Lord spreads for us. How could I ignore my created friends when I have the ability to do so? Just have to!
      Love and blessings!

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