"In everything give thanks......." 1 Thess 5:18

Our journal and glimpses of an active, contented life in country Australia

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Gifts in Nature


“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights” (James 1:17).
I was woken before first light this morning, at about 5.00am, by a sound that I did not immediately recognise.  After a few minutes I realised it was the chattering and squarking of flying foxes. My first thought was, what could they be eating in our garden.   Then I remembered the mango trees in the street, and went outside to see the mammals wheeling away as the dawn broke.   A few minutes later the dawn chorus of various birds I love so much broke and the day was underway.
(My pic previous occasion)
I often give thanks for the birds and wonder that there are still so many around, particularly in towns.  They are wonders of nature to me, giving so much joy and beauty. I especially love to see the little blue wrens out the kitchen window. Finches, rosellas, parrots, lorikeets, cockatoos,and magpies visit regularly as we have lilly pillys in our yard. The pesky sparrows that like to steal a strawberry if they aren’t protected. The Rainbow Lorikeets often call in when the mandarins are ripe, and take a bite and throw the rest on the ground.
(Down the back of my yard)
So often through life we have rushed and missed God’s gifts in nature.  As Billy Graham says in his book Nearing Home, “retirement is a gift from God” and whilst we are often busy by choice in retirement, we do have the option to spend time receiving the gifts God so generously bestows on us in nature.

Links: The Flying Foxes 
  .
             NSW Australia birds illustrated 
             Nearing Home by Billy Graham
Love and Blessings, Jan

12 comments:

Ugochi said...

I agree with you Mum Jan, we often rush through life, I love nature too, especially at country sides.

Joyful said...

Lovely post. I often thing about the birds too and how grateful I am when they come to sing on my patio. We don't have nearly as many varieties landing on my doorstep as you do however. I'd love to see that! Have a wonderful rest of your week, Jan. xx

Jan said...

Yes, just back from downtown, and so many birds are chirping right now, but often I don't notice them... it is so easy to miss what is there for us. I love that they are right here in my yard.
Thank you for the online chats, and that you feel so comfortable with me.
God Bless.

Jan said...

Lovely to hear from you Penny. I hear the birds more than seeing them, as they are in the trees mostly. I really love and I enjoy that. Barry even saw a cuckoo here one day.
Have a very pleasant week too! God Bless.

Unknown said...

Hi Jan, James 1:17 is one of my favorite verses. We have so many things to be thankful for including the birds, I love watching the little blue wren in my garden too. So many tiny birds going from branch to branch, it is such a joy to just sit in the garden listening and watching the birds. Hope you are going well.

retired not tired said...

Waking up to the sounds make it a great day. Right now the birds are hiding as it is -14 degrees F here.

Barbara said...

Wow amazing, that is great, have a blessed day.

Caroline said...

I am finding lately we have more & more birds visiting our garden, seems to be as their habitat changes, sad isn't it Jan. We to have Lilly Pillies & many other things they enjoy. Lately I have been putting out a little seed and now the King Parrots and Pale-headed Rosella's have arrived. In the last few months we have also installed a bird bath.
Hope you are safe & dry
Caroline

Jan said...

Yes, Joy, watching the blue wrens is one of the much appreciated simple joys of life.

Jan said...

Can't even imagine those conditions! Keep warm.

Jan said...

Lovely to hear from you Barbara!
Many Blessings.

Jan said...

I enjoy the birds, but it is a sobering thought that they are in our gardens because of habitat loss. Yes we have a bird bath and on dry days the bees have a drink, I've never noticed that before.
Yes we are safe and dry thank you, trust everything well with you too.