I slid the dish into the warm sudsy water, but my mind was a million miles away — certainly not on the breakfast dishes. Peering out the window over the kitchen sink, I noticed two sparrows perched on a long extended tendril of the grapevine that had stretched itself into the apple tree and wound itself through the barren branches ripe for spring.
Barren Branches Contain Life
The birds appeared to be so peaceful. Calm. Content.
A soft drizzle like fine sugar peppered down on them. I was struck with the lesson before me — the parallels to my current faith journey.
You see, I too, want to perch on the vine, waiting contentedly with the barren branches ripe for spring when all things are made new.
I want to rest in the drizzle of God’s grace that refreshes and replenishes me … and wait on Him.
I want to place my hope alone in His hand of provision, just as the birds anticipate my daily birdseed.
They have no need to fear hunger while waiting on spring.
I have no need to fear provision while trusting in my Father’s hand.
And neither do you.
“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” ~ Matthew 6:26-34, NLT
Are There Barren Branches in Your Life?
The sparrows outside my window began to sing. The drizzle was the same. The barren branches were the same … their perch on the vine was the same.
But in their waiting they began to sing.
I suppose that is how the birds seek their Creator first, expressing trust in His provision, praising Him for who He is.
We should do the same.
Praise Him in the waiting. Trust Him among the barren branches of life ripe for spring.
And perch on the Vine, for He is the vine and we are the branches.
Our God is faithful. He does all things well.
Selah
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
Sometimes I think being a bird would be a much nicer thing than being a human.