In the depth of winter, he sings. What can you teach me, little Tufted Titmouse? After a month of gray, overcast days the sun shines through a thin cloud layer, brightening the landscape and the heart of this little bird.
I listen, as I walk the icy road this morning. Why are you singing? I wonder. Each winter night this little bird clings to its perch in a deciduous tree. With fluffed up feathers, he covers his tiny legs and holds on through the frigid late hours, not knowing if he will survive until the break of dawn. When light brightens the sky over the landscape, he flies in search of any seeds, berries or pieces of acorn scattered under a large oak. Spiders and snails are hard to come by in winter.
The crested little Titmouse doesn’t see when the frozen ground will
soften and the sun will penetrate warmth into the soil to awaken seed and plant to reach for the sky. He doesn’t know when the longest, deepest, darkest, frozen nights will yield to mild temperatures and longer days and yet, he sings on this cold morning.
Give me your optimism and song little bird. When I’m in my darkest hour, break me Heavenly Father. May your light flow through me, lighting the way forward. May a song well up in my hurting heart, like the titmouse and may I, like the sweet scent of the Balm of Gilead, be an aroma of Christ to the world.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV )
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16, ESV)
Blessings to you.