One of the pleasures Pam and I enjoy is watching birds feed on the hill in our back yard. Watching them flutter about from one birdhouse to another is a joy to behold. Over the years, we have indulged this pleasure by purchasing birdhouses and our backyard area has seven birdhouses and three suet holders. To this number we add three hummingbird feeders and a fuchsia plant.
This morning as I watched birds hop from one feeder to another, I thought that they were being fed regardless of the design of the birdhouse. Different looking house, same blessing to the birds. This made me think of the blessings we enjoy from each other. We are as varied as the birdhouses in our yard but each can dispense blessings to feed the need of others. In thinking of that similarity, what came ot mind was Romans 12:6-8 [Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.] The immediate context of Paul's words is a comparison of the church to the human body. He points out that each part of the body provides a different function to the rest and that whatever function we serve, should be done without reservation.
However, this morning, the text was brought to life by watching how some of God's creatures were blessed in the same way by a variety of birdhouses. I think that we can find such blessings in each other, regardless of our differences. Metaphorically, some of us hold bird seed; some suet, and others hummingbird food. And yet, each of us can be a dispenser of God's grace, Love, acceptance, and support.
Have a wonderful Tuesday being a blessing to others,
Vic