Woke up this morning to the sound of banging reverberating through the house. A little confused by this unfamiliar noise I stayed still and listened carefully to discern what was happening. After a few minutes I finally determined that there was something banging on a screen or screens in the middle section of the house. So now that I was fully awake, I got to my feet, and shuffled off to the dining room window. This is what I saw.

A big fat robin desperate to enter the house. It was probably wanting to get out of the cold. (Note the white blanket on the ground below.) The temps that had been in the 60s plummeted to 30 today complete with wind and snow.

This poor puffy bird reminded me of a few truths this morning.

#1 I am thankful for God’s provision. He provides the things that I need (Matthew 6).

#2 I’m thankful for God’s protection. He also keeps me from the things that I don’t need (Psalm 121).

#3 I’m thankful for God’s perception. He not only hears my prayers but He can “read between the lines” (Matthew 6:7-8).

#4 I’m thankful for God’s persistence. He will continue working out the good in my life as I pursue Him (Philippians 1:6).

The chilly bird tried and tried over and over to get through one window and then the next. I did not provide a warm place or shelter from the cold wind. I instinctively knew what the robin was looking for but didn’t really have the means to provide what it needed and although (she?) persisted in finding a way through the window, I knew that no shelter I provided would be really be what the bird needed. I’m not a good provider or protector and although I might be able to guess what the bird wants, I don’t speak the bird’s language and therefore just fail on every level from the bird’s point of view.

On the contrary, God’s abilities are far above mine. He made me, He knows me, He “gets” me, and loves me enough to be the perfect Father, and am perfectly complete in Him.