Signs of God’s goodness and love surround us in His creation, whispering ever so tenderly:
Yes, Child, I am here.
Open your eyes and see.
Open your ears and listen.
Open your heart and believe.
I hold up My Creation,
And I hold up you
Because I delight in you.
Several weeks ago, my daughter spotted a Baltimore Oriole in our birdbath. I missed it, but I did catch a picture of him on the rooftop. I found out they especially love grape jelly, so I got a little feeder. He didn’t come back…
Last week when I felt so sick, I looked out the window and at the sky and sighed, “God, if You really are with me, will You give me a sign? Will You please bring that Oriole back?”
I quickly snatched it back. “I’m sorry, God. I shouldn’t ask for a sign. I should just trust that You’re with me always.”
I am trying to trust God, no matter what. Not only at times when I feel the sunshine of His Presence, but also at times when He’s covered by the stormy clouds that rage in my body, mind, or heart.
I am trying to find my footing on His immovable character of goodness and love, not in my faltering feelings.
I am trying to own His promises, believing He has personally given them to me and is faithful to fulfill them in His own time and way.
So I felt guilty asking God for a sign. He had just gifted me with a whisper of His assurance last week, “You don’t need to understand. You just need to hold My hand. I am with you.” Just because I felt so alone that day did not mean He wasn’t there for me. He never presses something on our hearts if He doesn’t mean it.
His promises are purposeful and will surely come to pass.
Because He loves us.
So deeply.
So devotedly.
So desperately.
(Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)
“For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With His love, He will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
God takes delight in us. He gladly gives us signs to show His love. He desires to calm our fears. His generosity towards us is a bottomless sea of goodness. He passionately desires to give us far more than we ask for or expect.
A joyful surprise arrived for me on Saturday. I was resting while my husband went to see if our son needed any more help with moving, and my heart nudged me to get up and look out the window.
A Baltimore Oriole! Giddy with excitement, I hurried to get some snapshots of this beautiful bird, so gloriously displaying the goodness and love of God. Thank You, God!
I don’t know if the Oriole will come back. I hope so. But even if he doesn’t, I will see every bird outside my window as a sign and seal of the goodness and love of a generous God.
The house finches that nested outside my window have taken flight. It’s hard to believe how quickly they grow to nearly the size of their parents.
And God has sent a variety of other birds to delight my heart:
sunshiny array.
surprised us with a visit.
God counts us even more valuable!
Take a look out the window or a walk in nature. View photos of God’s marvelous creation. Signs of God’s love, His goodness, and His faithfulness are all around us.
No matter what you’re going through right now:
God knows.
He sees.
He hears.
He cries.
He understands.
And His heart is bursting with love for you!
Joining Up With
Faith Barista’s Writing Prompt:
“Share your whitespace moment.”
– moments of beauty and rest
– feeding your soul
– your alone time with God
Copyright © 2014,
Trudy Den Hoed.
All rights reserved.
Freed to Fly 
“He never presses something on our hearts if He doesn’t mean it.” I needed to hear this. It is very profound. THank you Trudy.
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So glad it helped, Karmen. I have to constantly remind myself of this. I am sooo forgetful… I loved your post! You have made me feel less alone today. Praying with you that WE WILL RISE again and again through Jesus and He will give us those wings to fly in freedom! Hugs! ❤︎
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Such wonderful pictures! Seeing birds always remain me that God provides.
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Thank you, Debbie. Me, too. Always lifts my drooping spirits. Thank you for stopping! May God keep giving you signs of His provision! ❤︎
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Trudy, such an encouraging message today! And those photos were breathtaking – just beautiful! A few years ago, I started to attach a *special meaning* to butterflies – I likened them to the Holy Spirit. I can’t tell you how many times God has *sent* one my way, just to encourage me, just to tell me, “I’m with you!”
He’s so very gracious that way!
GOD BLESS!
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Thank you so much, Sharon. I love butterflies! They remind me of freedom – the hope that Jesus can give us wings to fly. I love the special meaning you gave to them – to liken them to the Holy Spirit saying, “I’m with you!” I will hold that to my heart and remember it. 🙂 God bless you, too! ❤︎
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Amen, Trudy! It’s so hard to remember that God is still with us, when we can’t see Him or feel His presence. But yes, He doesn’t change and He doesn’t move. Not only is He still there, but He still loves us … delights in us!
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Yes, and I find I need that reminder every day, sometimes moment by moment. But He delights in us and is faithful! I loved your post, Melissa. May God keep “uncovering our junk” that we may find deeper hope in Jesus! ❤︎
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Beautiful words from a beautiful spirit! 🙂
The Baltimore Oriole is so pretty, I don’t think i’ve seen one up close like that! 🙂
Your pictures reminded me, when I was a child waiting on the schoolbus, my mama would chirp to the birds while we waited. She still does on occaision. 🙂
Hope you are feeling better this week my friend!
(((HUGS)))
Krista
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Thank you for your kind words, Krista. My sinuses are still giving me a rough time. I have a CAT Scan this afternoon. I still haven’t gotten my voice back, but even if others can’t always hear me, it has been a comfort to me that God always can. 🙂
What a beautiful childhood memory of your mama! Thanks for sharing it. It warmed my heart. HUGS back to you, Krista! ❤︎
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Oh, I love the pictures of the birds, especially the Orioles…so vivid and beautiful! Gods promises are yes and Amen!
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Thank you, Renee. Yes, God is such a faithful Promise Keeper. May He give us whitespace moments of rest! ❤︎
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Such a fun post to read!
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Thank you, Anita. I love the variety of birds you get on your yard and your awesome photos of nature. ❤︎
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This is lovely & uplifting! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you, Amy. So glad your heart is lifted. I’m sorry for the difficulties you go through with chronic illness. May God strengthen you and give you back those years the locusts have eaten, as you wrote in one of your posts. ❤︎
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I finally made it over here after you mentioned this post in your comment at Crumbs. Amazing photos! I’ve never seen a Baltimore Oriole before. Stunning reminder of God’s love and kindness to send tokens of His affection. This quote spoke especially to me: “I am trying to find my footing on His immovable character of goodness and love, not in my faltering feelings.” Me, too, Trudy. Me, too. May the Lord give you strength, grace, and peace for whatever His providence appoints for you today.
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Thank you, Christina, for your kind words and prayers. Praying the same for you! So glad to join you on this journey of finding our footing in God’s faithful character of love. ❤︎
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