I had some visitors in the garden this afternoon...
They saw me putting some bird seed in the bird feeder, so they came right up to clean up whatever fell on the ground...I don't purposely feed the Sand Hill Cranes, as it is actually against the law. But if they want to "clean up the crumbs from under the Master's table...", (Reference to Matthew 15:21-28) then I can't stop them, can I?
And so they pecked away at the leftover seeds in the grass, and then they wandered over to where I was sitting on the swing in the Memorial Garden and waited to see if I would give them anything else to eat...
I told them I was sorry, but that I was not allowed to feed them, however I welcomed their company and was so glad to visit with them.
Mama Crane turned her back on me and flapped her wings at her now grown children, (Pat and Val), as if to say, "Come along children...nothing to see here...this lady isn't going to feed us anything more..."
I wasn't sure if I should be insulted by her actions or feel honored that they would stay and visit so long.
I just kept talking to them and thanked them for spending this past year with us and being such good "entertainment" for us. I know the young "colts", Pat and Val, will soon be heading out on their own as they are almost 10 months old, and that is about the length of time they stay with the parents. I don't know if Mom and Dad Crane will establish a new nest or not this winter...time will tell.
But I took this opportunity to let them know that I appreciated them. I sang this little song to them that came to my mind as I sat there talking to them: (based on Philippians 1:6)
"He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He'll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you"
As I finished singing they all turned away and headed back to Still Waters Pond. Not sure if it was my singing, or just that they needed to get a move on to the next thing on their agenda for the day.
Here's the complete song, sung by Steve Green:
I hope you'll listen to this special song, and perhaps apply it to your own life. This song has wonderful meaning and gives us hope when we aren't sure if God is still working in our lives or not...
"He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He'll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you
If the struggle you're facing
Is slowly replacing
Your hope with despair
Or the process is long
And you're losing your song
In the night
You can be sure
That the Lord has His hand on you
Safe and secure
He will never abandon you
You are His treasure
And He finds His pleasure in you
He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He'll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you"
Maybe I'm silly for singing it to a family of Sand Hill Cranes, but hey! It's what came to my mind, and I believe it was a message meant for me as well...and for anyone reading this post who needs to know that God is always there for you.
Yesterday was a lovely day...it was kind of chilly and cloudy all day, but there was no rain in the forecast. Then all of a sudden it started raining, and we had a great rain shower for over an hour, which we really needed. I was so happy that I stood out on the back porch and took lots of pictures:
The "Secret/Memorial Garden" was enjoying the gentle rain as well.
This little Wren was sitting on the porch railing, watching the rain...or was he merely just obeying the "Porch Rules"?...
"Take a Nap...Feel the Breezes" LOL.
Today was sunny and beautiful again...still a little cooler...just gorgeous Fall weather for us here in Florida. I was happy that hubby felt up to taking a little ride and we went to the local flea market for a little while. I picked up a couple of little things, but I am not going to share them now because they are Christmas decorations, and I promise not to show any thing Christmassy until after Thanksgiving...so you will have to wait! (I hope I don't forget about them by then! LOL)
While I was writing this I kept looking out my window here in "My Room With a View", and I couldn't help but notice the evening skies over Still Waters Pond. I hope you don't tire of me sharing these pictures with you...I just believe that God gives us such beauty to enjoy and also to give Him praise for the masterpieces He creates for us because He loves us.
The skies were such a brilliant shade of blue today, and then those puffy white clouds just really set off the gorgeous blue...
And then a few minutes later, this is how it looked:
Psalm 8:1-4
1 "Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?"
And remember...
"6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"
Philippians 1:6
Amen.
I loved this. We talk and visit with the critters we have in our yard as well. I do believe since they know their Creator, they know we won't do them any harm. Such a sweet post, Pamela. Those cranes are so neat and you are so blessed they feel comfortable enough to come so close. I absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are always so beautiful. Still Water Pond is such a lovely place to take in. Love it that the cranes came to visit with you. And that they stayed for a while and let you sing to them.
ReplyDeleteI think having those sand hill cranes come up to you is great! And I don't think you're silly for singing that song (which I haven't heard for some time). I think our Father appreciated your song and that you see His hand in everything around you!
ReplyDeleteI love your Still Waters Pond photos and never tire of them!! The cranes were quite entertaining and I'm sure loved your song and conversation!! Have a blessed Sunday and week ahead!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post, Pamela. Thank you for the many smiles. As for working with my life long friend/the husbands' best friends, I know my place, and I am ok with her being the authoritive figure. grin.
ReplyDeleteHi Pamela. What a lovely post this is! I love the pictures of Still Waters Pond, and my favorites of the pictures of the Sand Hill Cranes. The wonderful song you sang to them has an important message for everyone. Thank you for sharing. So glad that you got a much needed rain storm. Have a good Sunday. See you again soon!
ReplyDeleteOh Pam, I did enjoy my visit to Still Waters Pond today. From the beautiful family who listened to you sing to them, to the rain and the little wren and the sunset that God painted just for your eyes to see. Thank you for sharing these precious moments with us. Wishing you a wonderful Lords Day tomorrow as we celebrate our time with Him in worship.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs,
Betsy
What a pleasure it is to visit here. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless always.
Pam, i really enjoyed seeing the crane family visiting you at Still Waters Pond and nice that they all stayed long enough for you to take photos. I'm sure they enjoyed your singing as well, but that it was time to move on. It's always enjoyable to watch a rainstorm and we always did so when we had a front porch at the VA house. Now, we watch from our apt window and often the rainstorms are quite dramatic especially when a nor'easter.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recent well wishes and comments on my blog. We did have a good trip and slowly getting caught up back home in NH.
I'm absolutely tickled to see Pat and Val accompanying their parents ... paying their regards! Your singing to them is truly heartwarming; I used to do the same to my pups. Even if they don't understand the lyrics, I think all creatures respond to the love in your voice. Your view over Still Waters Pond never fails to touch my heart. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNever, ever apologize for your photos and the amount of them, Pamela. They ever and always brighten my day! And I do love how you link scripture verses to many of them.
ReplyDeleteYour Sandhill Crane visitors take the cake! I can't believe there is a law against feeding them, but I guess even Florida has its share of regulations. I'm so glad they did get to gather the crumbs under the Master's table, though, and that they hung around for such a long time.
Blessings, and have a great week!
The song by Steve Green is wonderful; it has blessed me, too, over the years. And the scripture upon which it is based, Philippians 1:6, is one I pray over myself and those closest to me. I'm counting on its truth.
ReplyDeleteYour conversation with the Sand Hill Cranes was great. You probably read their minds correctly (at least, I think so), and it's all good.
Such wonderful photos. Makes me feel quite tranquil after this lovely day at Church. Life is good because of God. Amen.
ReplyDeleteY'all have a great evening enjoying the pond.
Love & Blessings xx
Your photos are so pretty. I talk to my visiting cranes so I was happy to hear that I am not the only one. The other family has been in the front yard and cleaned out a low hanging bird feeder guess I will need to relocate it higher. We do have similar waterfront and I often think of your name Stillwater pond so very peaceful. We are blessed.
ReplyDeleteThe sky is so beautiful. Those are some large visitors you had. Enjoyed all of your photos. Hope you have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteThe birds look amazing as I have never seen them. Lovely river where you are at. I heard some different birds last couple days and seen them on the suet feeder. Tis the time of the year obviously!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that song, He Who Began a Good Work. We had the first verse of that put on my sister's headstone. Love those sand cranes. Have a blessed day!
ReplyDelete