Birds

I’ve mentioned that I have a knack for the obvious. So this post is not going to surprise you.

Of all the creatures I’ve personally encountered, birds are the most spiritually inspiring. First off, they personify the very essence of what it means to be free. Why else would we use magnificent creatures of flight to symbolize our country’s freedom. The National symbol Bald Eagle, the nations Bluebird, and our state birds. The Brown Thrasher is Georgia’s.

I sit for hours on my front porch swing and don’t grow tired of the myriad of feathered song our yard is blessed with. We are fortunate to be host to a number of different song birds at our house. It’s a part of God’s music that soothes the healing soul. 

Birds are fun and fascinating to watch as they move from here to there on what seems like spontaneous whims of fancy. Especially around my wife’s busy feeders. Their purposeful quick movements at the “squirrel proof” food stations gives the impression of a very businesslike species.

But I do notice them taking lengthy breaks on distant tree limbs from time to time. Smacking their beaks on their latest prize morsel. Then they may sit and perch for good while, simply observing, maybe wondering if I’m ever going to get up from my swing.

But their mode of travel is the most inspiring of all. In less than a quick second, the small Aves are airborne on route to anywhere a particular whim takes them. I envy that freedom. Some are quite aerobatic, like the Titmouse. Their quick maneuvers can be a challenge to visually follow. It’s as if each one of them is demonstrating a real-time example of “free”, for the benefit of us meager humans.

Their habits show us what it might be like to be unencumbered by our fundamentally earth-based design. 

My spirit travels with them.