Angry Birds; and Chipmunks too!

Hummingbirds are beautiful and amazing to observe. Periodically, I’ll prepare some sugar water and put it in the feeder, just to enjoy their rich colors and spectacular aerodynamics. Recently, I’d let their feeder run dry. Instead of humming at our red plastic flowers one Saturday morning, they hovered by the window near where I was sipping my coffee; glaring at me. They had that look on their little faces that said, “Hey, human! Where’s our food?!”

Later in the day, I was splitting firewood, and in the process moved a pile of logs that had been seasoning against a stump for about a year. I’d seen chipmunks scurry in and out of the wood pile, perhaps nesting or storing food in the protected crevices. As I sat back to admire my newly filled rack of firewood, and enjoy the pungent smell of fresh-split fir in the air, one of the little critters scampered to the top of the tree stump, and began chattering in my direction. “What have you done to our handy storage place?!”

In a brief, but riveting sermonette, I reminded my little forest friends that “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.” More specifically, Jesus pointed out that God feeds birds, and provides holes for ground-dwelling varmints (i.e. foxes.) “Your Creator has given you all you need!” I proclaimed as they listened intently. “Don’t get mad at me when a luxury is denied! Perhaps you need to rediscover God’s design for your life.”

Then I reflected on God’s provision for me. He promises to take care of us, and most often (in America) does so with amazing bounty and abundance. I realize that I often grow to depend upon- even expect- His lavish blessings. When they are changed, diminished, or removed I get frustrated or sometimes angry. 

But His goal for us is holiness, not happiness. If removing a comfort-prop makes us depend more upon Him, that frustration can move us in the right direction! May we learn the Eternal truth that disappointment is often His appointments. A blessing removed, could represent an opportunity for a closer walk with our Creator and Lord.

God does not actually promise financial abundance, perfect health, and story-book families. He promises to journey with us, and to meet our needs as we put our lives fully in His hands.