The Canadian Geese have been going over, flying north, for the last several weeks. It happens every spring... and then they fly south again in the fall and we love hearing their calls as they are high in the skies... or lower to earth, ready to come in to land for a break.
When they started going north several weeks ago, and we still had snow, it was exciting, since we knew it was a sign of spring. Somehow they know when the time is right to fly north.... and that early glimpse gives us hope that winter is almost done... and a new season is just about here.
It is also a marvelous testimony to the amazing God we serve.... the God who tells the birds just when to migrate... and they seem to start moving from many different places. It is something still not totally understood by scientists... and I love it.
I have always enjoyed watching these geese in the wild... whether flying in their V-formation flocks or resting on lakes in their migration.
It is possible to see them throughout the year in some places, as they sometimes over-winter when there is enough food, water and protection for them.
Seeing them in parks all year around is fine, but I
confess I get tired of them... tired of having to be so careful of where
I walk... tired of their noise and messes.... but seeing them in the
wild is still special to me.
They tend to mate for life... which is quite amazing. If only humans had the same habit.
What a blessing to have one mate for life... one person who knows us well and is committed to us, no matter what. We are teaching our children to pray for the mate God has for them... and to become the man or woman of God that God wants them to be..... and to remember that they marry... FOR LIFE.... not for however long they like their mate. Oh, we humans could learn something about commitment from these beautiful birds.
There is something peaceful about watching them... they tend to keep moving.
Much of the time, we see them paired up... where one goes, the other follows.
The ducks and white goose were at a spot in the pond... and the geese swam toward it causing a stir with the other waterfowl, who left... as you can see. It almost looked like they did it on purpose. Hmmmm... no, they are not perfect...and maybe not always "nice", but they are committed.
Though there isn't much color yet, it is coming... Spring is such a time of new beginnings... and hope.... and freshness. Colors will keep popping up here and there and we will enjoy it all, including the warm days and cold nights... and not needing the furnace on at all... or the air conditioner... for a while. :)
How nice to be out on a warm spring day... to spend some time in nature... to enjoy God's creatures... and the sunshine. :)
I hope you are able to get outside and enjoy such sights.
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We saw an unusual sight.... We live in the city, but these guys showed up right behind our back fence.
They seemed confused and didn't seem to know where to go. First we saw one of them, and she stood and watched, moved a little, then more...then we saw all three. They went one way... then another. They stood in indecision much.
They were not grazing...they seemed too uncomfortable for that. They ran to a 4-way stop interesection and again seemed uncertain and confused.
They went through a front yard and waffled back and forth.
Finally, they turned back and ran... half heartedly at first... then they picked up speed. We think they had wandered across a bigger road and come to our area, but didn't know what to do. They were out of their own area.
It reminded me of how we can be when we venture out of our own safe areas. Maybe we ignore God's leading... or take chances we shouldn't. Maybe we try some things that we think aren't "too bad" even though we know God would not approve. Maybe we don't walk with Him as we should. Maybe at first things can seem exciting... and fun.
Pretty soon, though, it gets scary... nothing is familiar... there is a feeling in our spirit that something isn't right. God is using His still small voice to direct us back... back to the safe place He has for us... where we are right with Him. What a relief to repent and return... to safety...to the boundaries that are for our good.... to what we know is right. There is nothing better than walking with the Lord and following His principles. Hopefully, we learn not to yearn for those things we should be avoiding... hopefully, we learn to be content with what He gives us. He knows what is best for us... and He loves us.
Shared on:
Saturday's Critters
Saturday Soiree
Funtastic Friday
Paula's No Rules Weekend Party
Home Sweet Home
Hearts For Home
Thriving On Thursday
Share Your Style
So Much At Home
Work In Progress
Homemaking Link Up
Wednesday Prayer Girls
Wake up Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday-Crafty Spices
Homemaking Linky
Tell It To Me Tuesdays
Roses of Inspiration
Tuesday Talk
What'd You Do Thi s Weekend?
Modest Monday
Art of Homemaking
City of Links
Funtastic Friday
We see signs warning us.... Caution, Danger, and more. They warn us to be watchful... to be extra aware... extra careful. Sometimes they tell us to keep out.... or no tresspassing.... sometimes they say the floor is wet.... or the bridge is out... or do not cross when water is on the road... or lake warnings that the water is too rough...
Many people pridefully disregard such warnings.... a spirit of rebellion drives some to do what they want.
Every year, many people put others in danger by such an attitude... people have to be rescued because of their own foolishness... from flooded rivers, from mountains, from construction sites... and sometimes those who rescue them end up dying.... all because of one person's foolishness in ignoring the cautions.... in not being wise.
Some signs are big, some are little....
Some are verbal, some are written... others are posted.
Men working with big machinery is an area for caution... it isn't safe to play in the area... in fact, it is best to stay away... go around the area.... and stay safe.
Such an area can be appealing.... it can look really fun.... but it is only an area for those trained to be there...
In fact, it is fashionable in our culture to push the limits... to test the boundaries... to say, "I have my rights!" There is even a law that says that features, like swimming pools and more.... on PRIVATE property can be called an attractive nuisance... and the owner can be held liable for injuries to the person who trespassed to get to it. It seems so silly... so ridiculous...... and it is really very sad. The rebellion of people who think it is okay to climb a water tower... to trespass in an abandoned building... to climb on a roof ... to enter someone's home.... and more.... even when it is not theirs... all because there was no sign posted saying they couldn't... or because a door was left unlocked.... or just because they wanted to. So sad.
More big machines moving dirt... kids love moving dirt and sand... and this is even better because it uses BIG scoops.... BUT the signs warn people to stay away.
Those who ignore the signs can run into problems.... and hurt themselves... or others.
Cautions.... Warnings... we get them and sometimes we ignore them. Maybe it's a speed limit sign that is ignored and a ticket results... or an overdue bill notice... or a stop sign that we roll through.. or other warnings. Wisdom would say to heed the cautions. Sometimes rebellion says "I can do what I want!" "They can't tell me what to do." and more.
Some warnings come from our bodies... pain that warns of infection..... little health problems that if ignored, become big health problems.
God gives cautions also.... lots of them. He lovingly warns us to be careful. He tells us to forgive... to guard our heart.... to not allow sin to control us.... to trust Him, to love Him, to obey Him.... He also tells us that a day of judgement is coming and only those who repent and trust Jesus will go to heaven... all others will go to hell. It is a warning... It is lovingly given.
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41
"Commit thy way unto the Lord: trust also in Him; and he shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5
We can look at the cautions God gives and rebel... or we can look at the cautions God gives and be thankful for the warnings. He wants the best for us... I hear people who say that God just ruins their fun... what an awful thing to say... or believe. Maybe there should be a caution sign over our heart... oh, that's right... God already wrote one. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 We have the ability to deceive ourselves... and we need to keep evaluating what we believe... is it true?
God tells us to rejoice in the Lord... to let your moderation be known.... to be thankful... to praise Him... to be content... to flee temptation. Sometimes, we face troubles in life because of our own disobedience to God's Word... and we should evaluate to see if something is wrong in our life... and fix it.
God's Word needs to be our standard.... and we should be wise enough to obey it. Are we heeding the Cautions?
Shared on:
Scraptastic Saturday
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