What? Great plans for a dilapidated old bird feeder?

Outside our back window, off our deck,  in the middle of a stand of Crepe Myrtles was a bird feeder.  I put this bird feeder out about nine or ten years ago with the help of our oldest granddaughter, Emma.  I kept bird seed in it for a year or two, until Emma lost interest and I ran out of bird seed.  Diane can’t stand birds, so she was no help.  I meant to take it down and throw it away years ago, as I did the second one… but it was one of those tasks that always gets forgotten.  This bird feeder was once a clear cylinder with a bright colored top and bottom.  It once hung proudly.  And when full of birdseed, it attracted loads of birds.  They would sit on small stick-like posts strategically placed so that certain sized birds could easily reach the holes that offered access to the treasures inside.  But the years had taken their toll on this simple feeder.  The bright colors faded from lengthy exposure to the sun.  The once clear cylinder was cloudy and scratched.  Some of the posts were bent, victims of falls to the ground during storms.  Inside, caked in the seams, was old seed residue.  It looked bad; very bad.  If it had been much larger, it probably would have attracted letters from the Homeowners’ Association  branding it a detriment to the neighborhood and demanding its removal.

Along came Camryn.  Our Camryn, the youngest grandchild, now aged six, is different.  Always has been.  In a lot of really good ways. She sees things differently. Because both our girls are married, and my only brother has no children, my stake in the Burke name ends with me.  Except for Camryn.  She was chosen to carry the Burke name proudly between Camryn and her surname Stock. ( I’m hoping that maybe one day she might add it to the name of someone she loves. )

Camryn is the one who was willing to sing in front of big audiences at four years old.  She also was the youngest girl to ever be allowed to take riding lessons at Tap Root Farm.  She would not have it when they suggested she ride a small pony instead of a full size horse.  Camryn loves animals.  All creatures.  Big ones, small ones, hairy ones, slimy ones.  Ones that walk, those that swim, crawl or fly.  She has no fear when it comes to animals.

 

When Camryn saw the bird feeder,
She told me to fill it with seed
So it would attract the birds again.

I showed her what bad shape that feeder was in.
I pointed out the faded colors,
The scratched cylinder, and the bent posts.
I saw a piece of junk.
But Camryn saw a feeder that could feed birds.
She described how the birds
Could land on the posts and eat the food….
She insisted I get some seed, fill it up…
Hang it again in its rightful place
Among the Crepe Myrtles.

Hmmm.
Camryn sees things differently.
She saw what the bird feeder could be.
Camryn saw the birds.

Ever feel a little bit old and beaten up?  Ever think you aren’t as useful as you should be…could be?  Feel like you have missed doing some of the things you should have done?  Ever think the imperfections in your life make you unfit to be used for God’s purposes?  Ever feel like a beat up old bird feeder with no bird seed?  Isn’t it great that God sees us differently?  Didn’t He take a rather rag tag group of fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary men and use them to spread His Gospel?  He made them “fishers of men” because He saw what they could become… with Him… and He saw the fish.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could see ourselves, and each other as God sees us?

If you ever, like I do sometimes, need some assurance that you have a purpose in God’s plan; that you have a future even when you think you are either too old, too battered, or need too much repair… take nourishment from God’s promise sent through the prophet Jeremiah.  This promise was sent to elders, to exiles….and we can take encouragement from it.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

This promise does not say…”If you are young, I have plans for you”, or “If you get in shape, I have plans for you”.  It is open to you and to me…old, tired, weary, discouraged, alone, rejected, rich, poor, whatever shape we find ourselves in…God wants to give us hope and a future.  He has real plans for you.

If your spirit could use this refreshment and encouragement, I suggest you take time to listen to this song that was written and sung by my favorites Lance Stafford and Cloverton.  Just five minutes will allow the promise of this scripture to speak to your heart.

Listen in your personal closet, or at the beach with me.  The second time you listen…Sing it out loud!  And rejoice!  God has plans for old bird feeders like us!

(I must be honest…I eventually did buy a new bird feeder. Confrontation with Homeowners’ Association avoided!)