The World Wrapped Up

II Corinthians 4:15 -- "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."

a tad hazy due to the glass - but there they are!!

Four white and slightly warped wooden slats on the left side of my bedroom bay window stay open all day long.  Just four. For two reasons, really - one: the blinds are broken and I can no longer open them using the twist rod. But two: and this is the main reason - I can watch the birds eat from my bird feeders without really being seen. I do this frequently through out the day. From that treasured spot where the carpet bares my footprints in a comfortable and well-worn fashion - I watch my downy woodpecker couple. The blue birds with their rust colored chests and bright blue feathers.The little palm warblers with their splash of yellow. The chipping sparrows - I love their tiny little song. And of course - the tiny little gray gnatcather that I can only really see when they hop around on the magnolia tree and reach down for the suet holders. The hummingbirds I can watch from directly under the feeder - they don't mind me and I can take good pictures from there. But alas, the other birds flee the coup when I step outside the porch.

We have some visitors from up north - we call them Mr and Mrs Canada. The male goose will actually come to the porch screen and honk loudly in the morning -- asking for breakfast.  He won't stop until one of us takes him a big gulp cup of cracked corn and wild bird seed. He does, indeed, have us well trained. And the other day - peeking out at the rain and the swollen pond inching ever higher past its normal banks - I saw the male Canadian Goose - head held high, watching while his feathered bride ate corn. And next to her - were four ugly-cute fuzzy little goslings that resembled fat little chickens with short wings. Congratulations, I said to him with a giant grin on my face - Mr. Canada is now a happy papa. Papa, by the way, will eat from our hands if we're careful and he's in the mood to do so - mama on the other hand, still hisses when I bring the cup out in the mornings. Now I know why.

the jig is up - papa sees me

Imagine my delight - when last night just before sunset, I looked out the window to see another Mr. and Mrs. Canada. I know - it might seem a bit odd that I can tell the couples apart - but the reason I can do this is - this new couple had four ugly-cute goslings, as well.  Only their fuzzy little quad is much smaller - as Steven says - those guys are fresh. Just out of the shell. I was tickled pink. Two whole Canadian Goose families - a mama and papa Mallard with nine young - AND two young Mallard couples yet to sport their little hatchlings across the yard made for quite the water foul party at the bird feeders last night. I smiled big. So did the boys. Let me tell you, it's quite cool to watch teen age boys light up bright with giant grins from ear-to-ear over a few baby birds. THAT by itself was a gift.

G.K. Chesterton wrote: "The greatest of poems is an inventory." And ya know what? He was right. Elizabeth Barrett Browning also had the right idea when she wrote: "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." These lists - the inventory that these two authors penned couldn't lead anywhere but to thankfulness. And, as I endeavor to be a more thankful person, I see the truth behind these well written words - bird party is going on the list. Strait into the pages of my gratitude journal.

Surely this is a cause to thankful - to remember that "all of this is for our benefit" - that we may offer thanksgiving, overflowing glory to our Father and Creator!

As I reluctantly turn from the window to start dinner for my three men - I smile deep. I can feel it all the way down to my toes. My inventory grows fat.