I love birds. Wild or tame, they delight me. Recently, I sat on the patio enjoying a spring morning. Birds sang and a cool breeze whipped the smell of freshly mowed grass across Pecan Plantation’s 6th golf tee. Several birds fluttered around my water fountain, when this wonderful, little bird hopped up to see me. I think she was on her way shopping or perhaps to the bank and I was in her path. She hopped up on the glider where I sat and then skipped behind my back. I turned my head and she hopped down to the ground.
I thought she was gone, when suddenly she jumped up on my lap, tilted her head with a quizzical glance at me and then sweetly left a deposit on my leg. A few minutes later, she returned. I hoped she would get in my lap again but my dog scared her away.
After a few moments of research, I knew it was a Tufted Titmouse. I wish you could see how beautiful this little gray bird is in person. Actually, you can. There are so many great bird-watching sites in this area besides my backyard. Acton Nature Center is just one.
Don’t miss the Texas State Dulcimer Festival in Glen Rose. This is excellent family fun and it‘s all free. The Rio Brazos Music Hall is offering dance lessons and their April line up of talent is excellent. Don’t miss it.
Many of you have mentioned to me, either in person or by email, that you too are hooked on watching the eagle live-cam. I have promised a few readers to print the website again. www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles. The eggs will be hatched by the time this issue is on the streets.
One of my favorite bird stories explains Easter in a way that even little ones can understand. The story goes that a farmer started his morning the same each Sunday. His wife dressed, ate and begged him to join her for church. He mumbled regret about too much work and admitted that he didn’t understand her belief and saw no reason to pretend he did. Why would anyone believe a story about a God coming to earth as a man to die on a cross? One Sunday near Easter, an unusually late, cold-front blew across the farm. The farmer woke early to check on the stock. He had a second cup of coffee and watched the snow fall. Then he noticed a few birds huddled under the eaves of the house. This small bird was a variety that didn’t stay in the area all year. For some reason it hadn’t headed south for this cold blast. The farmer knew the birds wouldn’t make it through the night. He decided to open the barn doors for them to fly into its warmth. But the birds stayed huddled in the cold. Then he scattered breadcrumbs toward the barn. The birds still didn’t move. He threw rocks and yelled, flapping his arms like a crazy man. The birds fluttered and then returned to what they thought was safety.
Frustrated, the farmer looked around and tried to think. “If only I could find a way to tell them to go to the barn,” he said to himself. “If only I could become a bird for a moment in time and show them how to be saved.”
Just then the church bells echoed across the snow covered fields. Suddenly the farmer understood. His wife dressed warm to drive to the church as always, but today, the farmer joined her. Now he understood why God became a man. And yes, he left the barn door open.
I hope you know that God became a man to show He loves us. Have a blessed Easter and spring.
