Opening Our Ears to God's Voice
Above all the din came the cheerful whistling of a small bird. It was so beautiful, I stopped to listen.
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Mine ears hast thou opened... (Psalm 40:6, KJV)
I opened my office window, and the pulsating noises of the city entered—traffic, sirens, jackhammers, horns, all the rush and energy of a city at work. But above and through it all came the cheerful whistling of a small bird singing away in all this din. It was so incredibly beautiful, I stopped for a full minute to listen.
Then, at noon, I was crossing the street at the corner of our building, and I heard the trilling again. I looked up, and there was a small dark finch in a very young tree planted in the all brick sidewalk. He warbled his song again, then flew up to the side of the building and managed to squirm into a tiny space, where I suspect he and his mate are building a nest to raise a family.
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When my ears are open to the world around me there’s no telling what I may hear—perhaps even the voice of God.
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This devotion is excerpted from Guideposts Daily Planner 2013.
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Your Comments (28)
My comment: I like reading some stories, more than once. It helps to affirm what I'm learning; for instance to be more greatful, whatever my circumstance is, at that moment. Also, change is good. And, I need to read somethings more than once, so I can apply the inspiration to my life.
Thanx,
Jennie
Viki,
Sorry to eavesdrop, but I'd like to send you some music I made up from a iTunes app! I was feeling scared last night, being a full moon, or a double full moon, so I put into the music what I was feeling. Comment yes or no!
Best,
Melanie
Birds are so precious and good teachers. There's a song that goes if a Robin can praise His name we can too. Birds get up very early ready to praise God. That's why I said they are good teachers. By the time I get up in the morning hours the birds have been up singing and praising God for hours. Thank you for sharing your testimony about the birds. I need to stop and meditate on that. Amen
Yes, they are! I love getting up early and listen to the singing of the birds; and they send out the alert that I am up and out to feed them. My friend and my wife have teased me with, "God doesn't care for them enough?" - to which my reply is,"Of course he does. He has me to help." I even have a Hummingbird feeder where they can sit and actually feed; making it an extra special joy to watch them. I have a female Hummingbird that has actually turned and faced me in her still-flight on several occasions; "sing" to me the "mi-mi-mi-mi-mi" that seems to tell me she really appreciates my feeding her family.
I love your comment about birds being up early to praise God. I am awake when it gets light out but live in a city and not where I can see the sunrise. I think I will get up early and drive to the beach and watch the sunrise over the horizon. I forgot what an awesome sight that is to see and what a divine blessing! I am going to pay more attention to God's miracles.
How did people get from being blessed by God's beautiful creation to biting the hand that feeds us these testimonies? It was as if reading the fall of man again in a slightly different setting....
Thank you for sharing the beauty and sweetness of the bird's song. It's so good to be reminded.
--M
My mom once wrote a poem on this subject, which she titled "Master of Ceremonies," and I have always loved it. It follows:
"Master of Ceremonies"
I watched the day-break light show
Noted that passers-by
Looked straight ahead
Or down at the ground,
Ignoring the gorgeous sky!
I wondered why God
Didn't make colors visible,
Man's attention bringing
To extravaganza He stages daily?
Then birds began their singing.
Vivian L. Titus
We lost Mom five years ago, but her artist's fascination with the colors of God's sky has stayed with me. And I still give thanks for the beauties of creation.
Such a beautiful poem your mother made! It really touches my heart. Thank you so much for sharing this with us :-)
this story reminds me of the small little brown bird that came to visit me the morning after my mother passed away on 9-11-11. When ever my spirits are down, that little brown bird shows up to lift my spirit nd remind me of her and the love of God.
Yes! if we take the time to pay attention & listen closely
we can hear & see the beuthy surrounding us daily. The Blessing of our Father in Heaven is always there to be seing
no matter whats hapening around us.
Patr
Birds really are such precious little creatures-- so easy to take for granted when we get caught up in our daily lives, yet such a delight and gift from God to put a smile on our faces during our walk with Him in this life!
I found out these cuties love pizza crusts - especially during Winter when they need more fat calories to stay warm. It's alot of fun watching three of them sharing one pizza crust together!..lol
That's awesome about pizza crust for the birds. I thrown them bagels and English muffins that have dried out. They also love crescent rolls!!! Let's fatten them up for the winter !!!
Waaah, Waaah, Waaaah, what a bunch of cry babies. There are countries that can't even see these stories, etc. ONCE. Maybe it's God's way of telling you to pay attention to something -- thru repetition. Geez, come on folks. It seems we as Americans find something to b---- about all the time. We're just too d--- spoiled or something.
I have found this one thing out, whenever you are doing something good there will always be those that will find something not-so-good to grip about. They are not doing what they could do in their own life but they somehow find the time to take the time to criticize those that are thinking about how to better their product presentation to their clientele while at the same time being there for those who are waiting on the next story, booklet or words of encouragement. I just want you to know Guideposts, that everytime I think that I will not renew my subscription I always find something in either the present issue or my library of other prior Guideposts that do just that guide me along my post on my journey. Thank you and my renewal is going in the mail on tomorrow today is Labor Day 2012 and the postoffices are closed. Stay focused and remain true to your mission - EVERYTHING IS MISSION! BAH - GEORGIA
I was thinking the same thing. Even in church someone is always complaining about something. The glass is always half full. Some people are never satisfied. No matter what happened, it wouldn't be right They must be very very easily discouraged and unhappy people.
EVERYTHING IS MISSION sums it up nicely. I was thinking the same thing by saying sometimes God might want to be reinforcing something to us thru REPETITION. Some people are just never satisfied with what is given. I'm not trying to be unkind or critical -- and as a suggestion, instead of just wanting to be FED, how about sharing something from your own lives -- I'd be willing to "bet" that each on of us could write something to SHARE with others instead of wanting be "entertained" and "nurtured". We each feed others . . . so, LET'S SHARE ! ! !
Thanks everyone. Sorry if I sounded critical in my previous comment.
Viki
I have subscribed to Guideposts for at least 40 years. My favorite article was (I think) in 196 titled "I led three lives." I pass the books on to several people Keep going with the wonderful stories.
Hi, Gloria! I'd be interested in reading the story "I Led 3 lives" -- sounds interesting and I wonder sometimes if it's about me ! ! ! I feel that way sometimes -- although I'm not sure what three lives the author was talking about. Any info on this story would be appreciated. Please write me at pinkcaddy7@yahoo.com inasmuch as I delete emails as I read them and won't have this to refer back to.
Thanks for any info. God bless you.
Viki
I read the Daily Guideposts and the magazine. I would really like to know how I can write an email to the authors. I would like to let them know how much I enjoy what they write.
Thank you for your help,
Nancy Beronda
I also would like to email the authors of Guideposts publications.
A SeaGull flew by me on the Deck YesterDay.
And. OutDoors @ Church the Chirp Caught my Ears.
"How we spend our days is,
of course, how we spend our lives."
~ Annie Dillard
I love the Guideposts monthly magazine and the annual Guideposts Daily Devotionals, but I'm one of those people who likes to read things for the first time when I get one of them. It's absolutely not the point that I'm paying for them and you can get many of them free here. That just now came to mind. But when I read them in the email newsletter or here online and then see most of them are from that month's or the next's monthly magazine that I haven't read yet or from the 2013 Daily Devotional, it really irritates me and takes away the good I've been feeling. I hate to get to a daily devotion and see that it's something I've already read or turn the page in the monthly magazine and see a whole article I've already read.
I'm just speaking for myself and my solution is to cancel the email newsletter and not come to your online site. Others may not mind at all. But then I will miss out on so many things that are not in publications I already get from you. Another solution is to cancel the subscriptions and just come to your online site. But I really like the stories at home for part of my devotional time.
Any chance you could only include stories not in any of your publications or at least only include articles from past publications?
Thanks,
Nancy
I had the same thought Nancy and was relieved that the excerpt was from one I did not subscibe to, but I do subscribe to two others; and yes, very disappointing and not very nuturing when it is a 'repeat.
I opened your email message for spiritual enlightenment but what I received instead was the ongoing frustration of pop-ups selling one's products or services. Can you - will you - not sever the two setting them distinctively apart one from the other; a spiritual message in its entirety followed by your ads? Try it! You may find more people willing to read the spiritual messages to brighten their day, when you put the needs and wants of your readers AHEAD OF your Guideposts' needs.
God loves you -- all of you at Guideposts - so why do you keep getting in God's way of lifting the spirits of your readers?
Alvin - Da Chipmunk
P.S. It just so happens, I am that registered user to whom you referred before allowing submission of this comment. I know who I am, do you?
Beautiful sight to see & birds r GOD'S creation & u can learn something from them if u pay close attention
Beautiful sight to see & birds r GOD'S creation & u can learn something from them if u pay close attention