Feather
Most of us remember as a child the pure delight we would have in finding a feather, probably girls more that guys. There was hardly any in-depth conversation after the discovery, for the treasure at hand served its purpose. We are in the mountains and the weather just calls for being outside so walking Lady, my lab, is a sheer delight. She has gotten much older so our walks have pleasantly turned into a stroll without a leash. And as you would have it, while she was doing her sniffing, I glanced down and there was a feather lying in the grass. Still today, as an adult, that feeling of gentle magic filled my heart as I picked it up and studied it. I first wondered about the bird and that dropped it, then wondered what the bible says about a feather.
God might send you a glimpsing reminder that he is present by a bird or a butterfly or a wildflower growing in a crack but today a feather was one of mine: This is the verse I found to be such a reminder of the treasures that God sends us to remind us of HIS sovereignty:
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
A feather is a symbol to me of God’s continued presence, but not only that, but when you study a feather and the way it is created and composed it is a marvelous minutely detailed construction of tiny fibers called barbs“that
hooks on the barbules that interlock to form a wind and waterproof barrier that allows birds to fly and stay dry.”
It was just a feather, but to me it is a reminder that God is always near us and He is the very place where we can take refuge. He will cover us with His feathers, and help us safely huddle through the perils that have/will come upon us. This little feather is strong and yet delicate in its every fiber. If God so carefully created this one feather for this one bird, just imagine how much more God cares about you and me? He is our protective barrier, our shield to keep us from harm and help us to fly to higher ground.
Sometimes just as a *birds feather grows old and weathered and drops, God makes way for new feathers in the year to come, (No, I am not going to say we are old) just that some of the things we hold tight to, need be dropped, so that new feathers of confidence, opportunities, service, love and fellowship can come in and grow and take the place
of old feathers that have dropped. We are all faced with fears, insecurities and tough challenges, and we are delicate creatures sometimes trying to be strong and brave by ourselves. But with God covering us with his feathers, he will keep us safe and continually heap upon us the help, wisdom, healing and protection that he has freely offered.
Next time you are taking a walk and see a feather…"stop" a minute, pick it up and reflect of the masterful creation and thought that God put into this one feather. Think about yourself, and whether you acknowledge it or not, he has masterfully created you to be his child and how very much he loves you everyday and in everyway. If only we would let him in. Just as birds fly, he has given you and I gifts to fly through life as well! But we must be willing to check out something new and put those gifts to the test. It was just a feather…that God dropped on the ground for me to find and cherish and reflect on his very presence. Be watching…there too is a reminder coming your way too!
*Birds lose their feathers naturally in a process called moulting. While mammals lose hair, birds lose feathers that are damaged or old. Bird feathers do not continually grow, and they don't repair themselves. Birds replace the feathers in the same spot as those they have lost over one year. Moulting occurs for different reasons.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one more thing about feathers: One phrase that I will never forget because my mom said it so many times is: “Birds of a feather flock together”…hoping that I would choose carefully the friends that I have…and what a blessing my friends are...I am truly grateful for each of you today and always.
Speaking of feathers, a reminder for your kids and their kids:
To Be mindful of who they hang around and also to be mindful of their own character when they hang around. Proverbs: 17;17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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