Something beautiful happened several weeks ago that I meant to write about sooner. But between the garden harvest, food preservation, and finally closing up the homestead for the winter – life just got busy. I also tend to chew on inspirations for awhile, to better develop the reason something may have happened. This incident is one that keeps coming back to my heart.
One day Charlie and I were outside braiding garlic on a picnic table – which I have to admit looks a lot easier to do in the videos than in real life, LOL. All of a sudden there was a ruckus of chickadees in the apple tree above our heads. Yes, about 6 or so of them were busy jumping from branch to branch and chatting away. Sometimes they got close, too, like we could almost reach out and touch them! It seemed obvious that these little birds were curious what we were up to. I ran off to get some bird seed, but by the time I got back they had pretty much dissipated.
It was an experience that was very reminiscent of something that happened our first winter here. One day when walking in the snow, a chickadee briefly landed on my cell phone when I was checking a text. Then a following day, it touched down on my boot! An image of St. Francis of Assisi feeding a bird came to me, and I was curious. Maybe this friendly bird would eat from my hand? So I got some birdseed and the next day patiently stood out with my phone in one hand, and and the seed in the other.
It’s a bit fuzzy, but here is the shot I eventually got of the chickadee I dubbed, “Little Trust.”
Now anyone who knows me, knows I have theories about animals, LOL, but I do believe that when Charlie and I were at the picnic table, “Little Trust” was in the branches too, trying to teach his friends or babies that humans are interesting, friendly, and can be trusted to help them survive.
I wish it was fully so.
In parable form, it reminds me of these words:
All of creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. … longing in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. … and to be set free from its bondage to decay and be brought into glorious freedom, Romans 8: 22,19,21
But I had an another thought about Little Trust recently. There is a sense that humans are like animals. They largely don’t trust others. Timid – jumpy – suspicious. Many people can’t develop lasting, intimate relationships with others, or God, because of this. I get this, and sometimes there’s good reason to be wary of something or someone. And unfortunately hurt people often hurt people – no matter how much we might let go of expectations otherwise.
But Little Trust is a sweet reminder not to live in fear of God, the real God, that most people know, deep down, isn’t angry with them. His outstretched hands are kind and gentle, and here our tentative souls can stop and rest, and if we believe it – find our most challenging needs miraculously met. Little Trust is also a reminder, to me, that I can also seek to know Him more through imperfect sources, even (as I saw in my spirit one day) gently resting on the page of my Bible to encourage finding nutritious seeds and nuggets to appreciate, instead of focusing on the chaff and confusion that the nuggets may be laying in.
And as far as relationships, Little Trust is also a reminder to relax – not withdrawing from a loving relationship out of a fear of being hurt, or trapped, but like a little child – choosing honesty and vulnerability. Little Trust has also recently reminded me to open my heart more to receive and enjoy love from people who are a gift to me for a season and/or a reason, and not “fly away” like I might be taught to do, in my old life of fear.
In closing I believe Little Trust is symbolically a “little birdie” on all of our shoulders, if we see him by faith, giving us courage to push through and not miss out on certain things in life that are generously given to us for our ultimate good.
Again, nature speaks!
In Love,
Pamela
Awesome word Pamela. Thank you sharing. 💕Aunt Penny