This has been my saving grace in this season. Mind you, not the grace that saves me from my sin but, rather, the grace that keeps my sanity intact. Whenever the stressors in my life seem too big and my capacity for handling them feels too small, I strap on my tennis shoes and hit the streets for a long walk in God’s wild kingdom. I’m literally steps away from beholding a blue heron take flight, hearing a pileated woodpecker drilling for food, or chronicling the life cycle of a family of geese as they nest, grow, and explore their surroundings.
I explore alongside all of them – taking snapshots of their activity and taking note of the grace-work going on in my heart. In seeing them live out their days, I’m better able to live out mine. I don’t know when I started making it so hard, this living out my days, but hard it is. I see the changes in myself, and I struggle with this ache.
But God’s creatures help me in my deliberations. They break down the stress for me and allow me a moment’s peace – a break in the day to soak in simplicity and to find the smile that too often remains hidden behind my sadness.
I am grateful for herons and woodpeckers and geese. For life that returns to the neighborhood after a long winter’s nap. For the swift take-off of the blue one, the noisy rattle of the red one, and the feathering nesting of the grey ones.
Flying. Feeding. Feathering.
Perhaps this is why I’m enjoying my time with them this year. In them, I see something of the someone I want to be. A woman who . . .
Flies.
Feeds.
Feathers.
As God has so carefully crafted his creatures, so too he has crafted me. May God help me to live as my feathered friends so courageously live – free from the worries of the world and firm in their trust of their Father.
So make me like them if you will, Lord,
The blue, the red, the grey;
Grant me faith to trust you fully,
With the advent of each day.Let me soar on heights of glory,
Let me feed from heaven’s hand;
Let me lace my nest with feathers,
From the grace that fills your land.When the work feels far too tedious,
And the stress too much I’ll break,
Rest me there beside cool waters,
In the shade of mercy’s lake.Strengthen feet for forward movement,
Strengthen wings for upward flight;
Strengthen beaks for inward searching,
Strengthen hearts for faith’s good fight.Keep me tethered to this earthen sod,
While there’s work enough to do.
Keep me tethered to forever,
Take me there when I am through.Yes, make me like them if you will, Lord,
The blue, the red, the grey;
They are yours from start to finish,
I am yours . . . this I pray.
(F. Elaine Olsen ©2014)
Kept in peace,
Oh. My Word. You are an anointed poet as well! How beautifully that spoke into my heart. Thank you for reminding me the best way to live and walk in this world. Thank you.
Such beautiful words my friend.
Elaine, I am sitting here wondering, as I tap the keyboard, why I have stayed aloof so long. You are, as Leah said, “an anointed poet.” My heart was enriched as I read each sentence you penned.
Pray that, I, too, will learn to live as the wild things live.
I have changed my blog address and worked on my blog. It has a long way to go, but I am getting there.
Much Love,
Andrea
http://[email protected]
Elaine, what a beautiful poem. Nature also has a way of calming and centering me. A couple of years ago, when we went camping, I was having an especially difficult time with life circumstances. At the time, my friends and I had a special attachment to butterflies. I likened them to the Holy Spirit. Anyway, do you know that as soon as we had set up camp, a butterfly fluttered through our campsite. My husband, who had camped there many times before, said, “Huh. That’s the first time I’ve seen a butterfly up here.” Well of course it is, I thought. Only God.
I can’t tell you how many times a butterfly has been *sent* my way, just when I needed it.
God’s creation speaks of His matchless qualities, and we are blessed by it.
GOD BLESS!
“I don’t know when I started making it so hard, this living out my days, but hard it is. I see the changes in myself, and I struggle with this ache.”
I get this on my own level of ache. I am encouraged today to open my eyes to see the blue, red and grey that is surely within sight of my own season here. Thank you, Elaine. And I agree with Leah an anointed poet you are! Thank you for sharing with us. Love to you my Friend.
Photograph AND Poet! Philosopher and Writer. Wife, Mother, Lover of God, In the Beloved. Firm and Free. You are.
Beautiful photos and words. Love your honesty and authenticity. The poem, it really speaks. We do need our alone times to get some quality time and let Abba Father sort some things out – in any way He chooses. Feathers… I’ve been given bird feathers at times when Father wanted to remind me that the yoke He puts on me is easy and the “burden” is light (as a feather). Walking with you, dear friend. Reaching out my hand to you…
wifeforthejourney, the poem is that much more special for the path you share with me when I can get out and walk with you. I love knowing the images of lakeside life first hand. Life with you is special because I get to experience it with you!
Love,
Billy
Great photos, Elaine! And you know how I love watching and photographing birds, too. Love the parallels you draw and what a beautiful and meaningful poem. Excellent post!
Oh how I relate! It’s a lesson I learned from my fathers ~ the one I was born to, and the One who saved me: Nature replenishes the soul. In fact, when my dad was dying he would, when his energy stores permitted, make his way to a stream or a lake. It was there his prayers were his dearest and his soul would fly. I’m delighted to know you have such a glimpse of paradise in your life. Amazing grace. Most definitely!
POwerful. BEautiful. So so poignant. I’m so glad I came by, because this gave me fuel and encouragement for my day. Thanks so much for using your gift for Him, Elaine.