Mr. Stop
Posted in Daily Focus on Monday, July 28, 2014
It was just a little thing, really. I mean, who would have ever thought a little bird could make such a difference in all our lives? But he did.
He was a red-winged blackbird that always greeted us sitting on the same stop sign whenever we drove to town. Because of the brilliant, red plumage on his wings and the location of his unusual home, we began to refer to this new friend as Mr. Stop. The joyful song he sang encouraged our family each time we passed his home, but it was the simple faithfulness of his presence that left a profound impression on the minds of my young children. Mr. Stop was always there protecting his nest and gathering food for his wife and family.
Every year in the spring, the pattern would repeat itself, and again Mr. Stop would return and come into our lives for the summer months. An unforgettable lesson of faithfulness was being forged into our family's life. We didn't realize how much the consistency of this little bird's presence meant to all of us until we moved away to homeschool in another state.
Do you know the faithfulness of God's presence is surrounding you today in a far greater way than you may think? Psalm 139:7-10 says, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." The God of the universe securely watches over you no matter where you are and faithfully protects and provides all you need to homeschool your children. Take a moment now to stop and enjoy the sweetness of His presence.
Heavenly Father, thank You for always being with me and guiding our family as we homeschool today. I trust Your Word and know I am not alone. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(4 comments)
ALYSIA T 07/30/2009 21:53:54
My three children and I have suffered 2 divorces and, in the process, moved to three different locations. As hard as it has been on all of us, GOD HAS BEEN WITH US THROUGHOUT. No matter what, where, how, who or why, God has been and is here. And now, for the first time in our lives, God has brought a godly husband and stepdad into our lives who is open to the concept of homeschooling. We are hoping to begin Alpha Omega SOS this fall with the oldest, who has always struggled with his special education classes and had given up on medication three years ago. He is a bright, talented kid who just needs a one-on-one setting. We still have more hurdles to overcome before this can become a reality, but I believe that God loves our children even more than we do and He is making impossibilities possible for each of us at this very moment. It\'s as if the little red bird\'s stop sign means \"Be still and know that I AM GOD.\" Thank you for sharing such an uplifting story. Whether it\'s a red bird or a red stop sign I see, it will remind me to stop, be still, and KNOW that the God of the universe is with us at this very moment.
BECKY S 07/28/2010 09:44:28
This just confirmed what God has whispered to me all week. He is faithful!
DAWN F 07/28/2012 06:52:15
I was sitting at my kitchen table writting down that verse Psalm 139 7-10 as I finished I looked out the window and at my bird feeder was a red souldered blackbird eating. I have had the feeder set up for over a year. This was the first time I ever saw a red shoulder eating at the feeder. Gods timing is perect.
KATHY S 07/28/2012 07:39:59
\"Mrs. Chirpy\" (our little blue and white parakeet) sits in her cage, gives us some pretty chirps and visits with the \"birdy\" friend she believes she has in her \"mirror\". I imagine since \"Mr. Chirpy\" passed 2 years ago, she\'s lonley.
She is quite comforting, when you go in and talk to her she sits quietly and listens very still. I guess very similar to God as he sits quietly listening to all our prayers, patiently waiting until we are done.
Thank you Jesus for always being there, listening, comforting and always loving us no matter what. Amen.