Browsing Tag

dove

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God cares for you

When Ray and I recently traveled to Texas (and went through what seemed like the storm from hell), we stayed with his mom Judy and his stepdad Leonard Smyth. They live in a close-knit home association’s community by a beautiful, peaceful lake near Quitman, TX. They had hung a bird feeder and a hummingbird feeder on a shepherd’s hook by their back deck. Ray went fishing while he was there, which he loves. 

bird and hummingbird feeders on back deck

bird and hummingbird feeders on back deck

lake by Ray's parents' house near Quitman, TX

lake by Ray’s parents’ house near Quitman, TX

Ray fishing at his parents' house on the lake, Texas

Ray fishing at his parents’ house on the lake, Texas

I decided when we came home that I’d buy a bird feeder and a hummingbird feeder to hang near our sunroom outside. My favorites are the bright red cardinal, the mourning dove, and the little sparrows. 

On our trip to Texas, that was the first time I saw a hummingbird in person. It’s been a little cold still for the hummingbirds here in the Kansas City, MO, area. I haven’t seen one yet, but Ray says we should soon and to watch for them.

bird feeder and hummingbird feeder

bird feeder and hummingbird feeder

My sunroom: red geranium, green plant & red flowered cactus

My sunroom: red geranium, green plant & red flowered cactus

Red flowered cactus

Red flowered cactus

Each morning I have a cup of coffee or chai with Natural Bliss cream, my little indulgence since I’ve given up Coke (a miracle, because I’ve been addicted to it for years!). I pray and watch the birds.

Recently I bought a chair for Ray to join me out there when he’s not working or busy. I asked our daughter Heather if this makes us seem like “old people” to watch birds, lol. She said no, just whatever makes us happy.

me and Ray, Branson marriage retreat

me and my husband Ray

The birds are funny to me. (I am easily amused.) They chirp, sing praise to God, and sometimes fuss at each other, like an old married couple. 

Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The birds give me a picture of God’s care for us as His children. As I watch them, I’m amazed that God knows every bird by name, sees it wherever it flies, and feeds it. 

red cardinal

“What is the price of two sparrows–one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.” – Matthew 10:29

God is even more concerned for you and me. He loves you with an everlasting love and cares about every detail of your life. Rest in that love.

Want to learn more about growing closer to God and about His love for you? Click here for my eBook, Walking With God, at Amazon.

Blog, Faith, Marriage, prayer

The sign of a mourning dove

mourning dove

mourning dove http://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/mourning-dove

This morning I overslept but maybe my body just needed more sleep. As I sat in my office ready for the day, I heard the sound of a mourning dove outside. I love doves. They are so peaceful.

Ray had to work some extra shifts this past week, and we weren’t able to have Passover on Friday night, so we had it Sunday night. Since I met Ray, we have celebrated a Messianic Passover as an annual tradition.

Ray was doing this when I first met him. I’d never heard of a Messianic Passover before. He’d read in the Bible where God commanded His people to celebrate it each year (Exodus 12:14-30), and felt convicted that he should do it, too, but from the perspective of the Messiah Jesus already having come.

He studied more about it and began celebrating it each year. We’ve always celebrated it together, with our children. This was the first year that we didn’t; Heather and Eden are grown, and Leah was with her friends Sunday night.

Unknown to the Jews, there is symbolism of Jesus all throughout the Passover! I’m thankful God has passed over my sins because of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross!

During the Passover, there is a part where someone in the family is supposed to open the front door to “let Elijah the prophet in.” When I did this Sunday night, I opened our front door and saw a dove outside. It made a sound, and then flew up into the sky. I thought it was so cool, and Ray did, too. We took it as a prophetic sign of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10)

When I heard the dove this morning, I remembered the dove at Passover. I felt it was just God confirming as a sign that He is with me and my family, He loves us, and He is watching over us. This is reassuring since there’s weather reports of severe thunderstorms, hail, and even a tornado in the midwest tonight! 

Do you believe that God speaks through signs, nature, and other unusual ways? Leave your comments below.