A Mountain Canary Sings and God's Gifts

  "A bird doesn't sing because he has an answer--he sings because he has a song."

Joan Aglund

 

My friend, Karla Dornacher, wrote a book titled "Down a Garden Path," and she drew a lovely garden scene which had a bird house with a sign "God Lives Here." I loved it! So when I bought this little church bird house, I put a sign on it and enjoyed watching the little bird families in God's House!

 

I read the following story on Saturday morning from the Streams in the Desert 2 devotion book. It's a good reminder to all of us to sing, because it makes your heart happy!

 

"One lovely June morning I went out to work in the yard just a the break of day when the sun began to rise. A little mountain canary lighted on a ranch of the tree next to where I was standing and began his morning song of praise. At first I was so intent upon the work before me, and quite accustomed to the sounds of the mountain folk both day and night, that I hardly noticed his singing. Determined that there was to be an appreciative audience for his melodious performance, he hopped down to a branch within arm's reach and warbled more resoundingly. This time I stopped, gazed and listened. The little yellow creature put his whole soul into his eternal song; and I sensed deep within me that he was a choralist sent from God to brighten my whole day with his aria."  M. Taylor, Streams In The Desert, June 5 

 

I confess that I don't sing enough. I love quiet, and yet when I do sing it makes me so happy. Why would I not sing on a regular basis.

 

My kind of man! Feeding his love.
 

 Taylor continues: "Someone has said that a song at the right time and in the right place will outlive any sermon. Perhaps it may be that a song really comes from the melody in the heart . . . That feathered messenger caused me to avow that I was to keep the spirit of song in my life, to be useful to others, and become an inspiration to those within the sound of my voice." 

 

When I first started working at the Baptist Convention I remember a day when my heart was inspired just like the man who was listening to that little canary. There were monthly meetings for all the staff and one of the first ones I attended three of my co-workers  sang a song. My heart was so touched by their voices! It made a huge impression on me.

 

Thank you, Carol, Jeanette and Theresa for giving of yourself to others in this gift of song that God gave you. What a way to start a new job!

 

"God made the perfect and complete instrument; the human voice. It gives you personally, individuality, words, and music all in one vehicle."

Harry Verploegh 

  

Jerry named this birdhouse "Tiltin Hiltin" and it enjoyed many families!

Even if you love quiet, like me, determine to find time to sing songs that will inspire and encourage your heart. My "Melody of Hymns" does that for me when I'm driving. I need to remember that when I'm home.

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

Ephesian 5:19

 

And a little note on God's gift: "I used to think that God's gifts were on the shelves one above the other; and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other, and that it i not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower, and that we have to go down always to get His best gift." 

                                                                                                  F. B. Meyer, Streams in the Desert, June 4