How he knows I am awake or how long he has been watching for me... only God knows! My little friend---Mr. Black Bird. Or, "Birdie" as we fondly refer to him.
Early each morning, I stumble downstairs and find myself a glass of water. First things first...I am just trying to wake up! And, without fail, Birdie flies over to my kitchen window. He turns his head left, then right, trying to see me more clearly... I think. Then he chirps. Sometimes silently, just an open mouth chirp, like you might imagine from a young bird opening to his mother. Sometimes he offers some soft sound. He is coming for food. Raisins, to be exact. (I have offered him alternatives without success) His early morning cheeky begging for raisins is one of my great joys each morning. I can hardly express the happiness it gives me to see him fly over---almost like he is announcing, "You're here!".
I adore his "feed me" eagerness and persistence. I can walk around the kitchen for half an hour and he will wait. Turning his head left, then right. Mouth open. Waiting. Expecting. He knows... He just knows I can't resist him. Too cute for words.
This was the keen picture which came to my mind today. I was praying and telling God how thankful I was for His grand abundance of provision in my life. There is so much He has given me---eyes that work, ears that hear, feet that function, a roof keeping off this horrid rain, a warm bed, food in abundance, and so so much more. How can I even begin to articulate the gifts of goodness the Lord provides!? I was in a moment of profound gratefulness... when this clear image of Birdie popped into my mind.
As I was prayerfully curious about the picture, I could sense God wanting to show Himself--- His heart. This. This, Stephanie, is how I feel about you.
Like a flash, I had the thought that God loves to give. ...No, not only loves... God loves AND delights to give His kids good gifts. It makes Him thoroughly happy when we come to Him for our food. When we daily look for Him, wait for Him, and when we expect good things from His hand. The joy I feel when I feed Birdie--- this. This is how God feels about us. We can bring Him joy. You and me. The thought of bringing joy and delight to God is truly staggering; and, certainly Biblical.
"You are precious in my eyes.... and I love you." (Isaiah 43:4)
"God the Father will give good gifts to those who ask Him." (Matthew 7:11)
"The Lord Almighty will take great delight in you..." (Zephaniah 3:17)
The verses are endless. If you look for the heart of God---Old Testament and New--- you will see the heart of love, delight, and determination on God's part to give goodness to His people.
Lord, thank You for your daily provision for me. You give me so many things... and even "raisins" (what I like!). Keep my heart ready and waiting for You each day. May I run to Your word and wait in anticipation for Your filling and feeding. You delight to give me good things! Your food is my hearts greatest desire, I know. Keep me eager and persistent and ever looking for it---and looking for You.
Every day. Without fail. I want to come to you and wait expectantly.