John 2:8-10
Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
For years, my husband, Danny, and I feed our backyard birds (and squirrels - we can't forget the squirrels!) a diet of high-quality sunflower seeds. None of that mixed seed stuff for them! We serve only the best here at the Orlando Cafe, even to our feathered and furry friends.
Imagine my disappointment, then, when Danny returns from Home Depot with a measly 10 lbs. bag of sunflower seeds and another 10 lbs. of the mixed variety. "They were totally out of the large sunflower bags," he explains. "Why don't you try blending the two, and see what happens."
I'm skeptical, of course, but the feeders are empty, and I'm left with no choice but to experiment. I use an extra bag to combine the seeds as best I can, and head out for the bird feeders. Once these are filled, I proceed to scatter the remaining seeds all of the ground so the squirrels, and the occasional chipmunk, can eat their fill.
That is, if they'll ever go near it, I think to myself, gloomily, as I trudge back into the house.
About thirty minutes later, I decide to look out our kitchen window to see how things are progressing. I can't believe my eyes! Birds are swarming the feeders, and more squirrels than we've ever seen at one time are gorging themselves blissfully. Wow!
I realize that what I thought was cheap fare for our critters is actually an appealing delicacy, one I would never have imagined if circumstances hadn't forced my hand to try out this new recipe.
Do the animals wonder why I've withheld the best from them all these years? Probably not.
But one thing we can all be sure of - when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we never need fear He will withhold His very best from us. He will shower us with His love and grace, fill us with Living Water until our cup overflows with abundance.
Jesus' best comes first, never last.
Amen!
The reason you got more birds and squirrels is because they told everyone there's a new menue at the Orlando Cafe.
ReplyDeleteGood post today, Martha. Thanx.
God bless.
Now that's funny, Victor! Glad you enjoyed the post, my friend.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful! They love the corn in the mixed seed.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I was thinking that the corn might have something to do with it, Lulu. You've confirmed that for me.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Great Post.. How applicable to life and so true, God does not withhold His very best...We have already received it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ryan, we have received His very best, and should live lives that reflect that love and grace.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wonderful parallel
DeleteThank you, Linda!
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What a great reminder and one that convicts me to be open in all things. Thanks Martha!
ReplyDeleteSo glad this post reminded you to be more open to different situations, Jean. It is all too easy to get stuck in our ways, even when God offers us a better path.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a timely lesson! Just this morning Tom noticed how low our feeder's become. More so that me, he's always been particular what sort of feed we use. You've given me a good idea!
ReplyDeletePS - I love the squirrels so much; and feel bad for them when the hanging feeder thingie thwarts their efforts.
Mevely, we have squirrel buster feeders, which is one of the reasons I spread the seed for them underneath. Believe it or not, we always seem to have one acrobatic squirrel who braves the plastic cords on which our feeders hang to drop dangerously onto the feeder itself, trying to get at or shake out more seed. Just imagine the Great Wolenda! It's absolutely hysterical to watch, and I can't help but think of Grey whenever that happens. Lol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, what a meaningful post. Sometimes the simplest of actions/simplest of fare makes the biggest difference of all. I'm sure there's some sort of communication line in the bird families (and the squirrel families too)!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Kim, I'm so glad you found this post meaningful. I do think that the level of activity generated at or below the feeder gives positive signals to the other creatures hanging around in the area. They can't help but come and see what's going on! Guess they are curious just like we are.
DeleteAnd yes, the smallest of gestures can sometimes make the biggest difference. God can use it all!
Love and blessings!
I love to see the birds flock to the feeder. We get some very beautiful cardinals here, and they are my favorites. We started out using the expensive sunflower version, and like you we accidentally found out the same thing as you did. Simplicity isn’t always a bad way to go. Praise the Lord, Jesus gives us the best of himself.
ReplyDeleteNells, I love those beautiful cardinals, too. And I must say, I'm so glad we fell into this mix we once thought was NOT a winner, and that you did the same! May simplicity guide our hearts and our minds as we follow the Lord.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Isn't it interesting how animals are less picky than we humans? They don't care what is "on the table." They will eat what is placed in front of them. I need to learn a lesson from the animals.
ReplyDeleteTo eat what's placed in front of us, and to be grateful, are certainly marvelous gifts, Bill. And yes, I believe that we can learn so much about ourselves by observing the behaviors of animals. They had nothing to do with the fallen world, only inherited it. Unabashedly, they make the most of every moment and every day, never worrying about tomorrow.
DeleteLove and blessings!
So glad you did, Terri! I did send you that email; let me know if you didn't get it.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
The wild animals don't seem to picky, but my house cats most certainly are! They have been spoiled by yours truly. This made me think of how I am probably just like my cats when it comes to God's amazing daily blessings. Thanks for helping me to stop and tell the Lord how appreciative I am for not withholding His best.
ReplyDeleteLove the cute squirrel pictures, too! My husband and I visited our local mountains over the weekend and whenever we saw a squirrel, I couldn't help but think of Racer!
I can't help but think of Racer every time I see a squirrel, too, Beckie, that's for sure, especially when one "eyes" me closely as I approach with the bird seed - lol!
DeleteAnd like you, I'm so happy that God showers only His best upon us, and we can all give thanks for that miracle each and every day.
Love and blessings!
Such a wonderful analogy! I wonder when I will stop doubting our dear Lord and being suspicious of Him. As the song says, "Oh, for grace to trust Him more!" He always has our best interests at heart, but I think I, far too often, compare Him with people and don't trust Him like I should. Thank you for this reminder, my friend. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteWe do need to trust the Lord with all our hearts, and not lean on our own understanding, Cheryl. Can we slip away from this? Of course! But God is faithful to bring us back and show us His favor again and again.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hello Martha, it's Beth from SimplyBeth. I don't know why I show up as unknown when I comment (can't figure it out). But I wanted to say hello and thank you for introducing yourself at my blog. Wonderful to connect! I did respond to your comment with links to follow my blog.
ReplyDeleteI loved the analogy you made here. And I also read your last post on your granddaughter and so loved it. Has me starting my morning with a smile.
God bless,
SimplyBeth
Beth, I'm so glad you chose to visit my blog! I have no idea, either, why you show up as "unknown," but at least in the future, I'll know who is commenting. I will go to your blog right now and check out the links.
DeleteHappy to know, too, that the post about Virginia made you smile!
Love and blessings!
I have gotto get back to feeding the birds. We have been gone for two months so all of them have left us. I miss the humming birds the most. I use to feed the squirrels but I have not seen any since we moved this time. At the other place we rented the rats would come and try to eat the squirrel food...and the seeds I fed the birds which is why I switched to humming birds. I love the analogy Martha...it's a writers heart, isn't it?
ReplyDeletePlease forgive me for taking so long to get back to you, Betty, but we had a lightning strike that knocked out our internet for three days. Can't check my blog on my phone! Lol!
DeleteAnd yes, I love feeding my feathered and furry friends. But I'll have to say, if I realized I was attracting rats, I'd have to call it quits. Glad you enjoyed the analogy, my friend.
Love and blessings!
They say variety is the spice of life. You birds and other critters must have been craving variety! As it says in Matthew, "The last shall be first"!
ReplyDeleteVariety is the spice of life, that's for sure! Sorry it took two days for me to respond, but I explained in the above comment what all transpired to keep me off my computer. So glad to be back up and running!
DeleteLove and blessings!
We feed our squirrels too, but only because we feed the birds. ha. Our squirrels are everywhere and are very good robbers from our bird feeders. I love your point here: Jesus never withholds his best from us! Beautiful story, Martha.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the story, Lisa! Yes, isn't it grand that God never holds back His best from us, especially since we don't deserve it?
DeleteLove and blessings!
Such a heartwarming read :)
ReplyDeleteLovely story Martha, as always!
So glad this read touched your heart, Privy.
DeleteLove and blessings!