A raging forest fire. A blackened, lifeless bird. As rangers examined the devastation, one of them bumped the bird with a stick. Three little chicks scrambled out. Unharmed. Mama could have flown to safety, but instead she covered her little ones and sacrificed her life for theirs.
It’s amazing how God shows us lessons of His great love through His creatures. But there is no greater sacrificial love than Jesus who so willingly took on the heavy burden of our sin. Our sin and the sin of those who have hurt us. All our sins are washed away and all our hurts can be healed and redeemed through Jesus and the blood He shed for us.
He loves us so deeply
That He gave up His Crown
To sacrifice His life
For ours
Covering us
Keeping us safe
From what can destroy us
Unspeakable anguish
Whips slashed His flesh
A crown made of thorns
Beaten into His head
Nails brutally pierced
His hands and His feet
To a wooden cross
Meant for criminals
And sinners like us
The worst of the worse
Forsaken by His Father
So we would never be
Abandoned and unloved
Enduring the pain
In body and in soul
Out of deep love for us
Incomprehensible sacrifice
Love beyond our understanding
Love so infinite
So firm and steadfast
Love so true and constant
Always and forever with us
No matter what
“God’s love is wide and high and long and deep
And God will never stop loving me
No matter where I go…”
Every Season Displays God’s Love and Power
The robins have arrived in the neighborhood with their lively chirps! Oh, how I love all the new life in spring! Hope soars and my heart sings!
I favor spring and summer and their warmth. All the new life displays God and His faithfulness and tender loving care. But every season shows evidence of His grace and power when we open our eyes to it. The fall brings its glorious display of color. The winter snow falls so white and clean as it sings of God’s pure grace in washing our hearts and making them whiter than the snow. No matter what season it is, God is still here.
God never slumbers or sleeps. He never fails to keep nature running like clockwork. The laws of all creation continue day and night. The sun lightens our world day after day, even through the clouds. Imagine how cold it would be without its rays of warmth. The moon and stars shine in the darkness of the night. We can always count on the changing of seasons guided by the never-failing love of God. Nature flows faithfully in all its beauty, each and every creature and created thing a steady sign that God watches over every little detail and is with us 24-7.
“After a hard winter in the mountains, when the snow finally melts, it barely seems possible that such a beautiful flower could exist in such a hard place — but there it is. A lovely reminder to keep our eyes open to what only God can make possible.” Grace Chou Simons in The Way of the Wildflower
Nature Retreat
More Amazing Bird Photos Shared by My Brother John
The hole on the side helps against predators.
Freed to Fly 
God’s power, love and graciousness is definitely displayed in every season, Trudy, when we open our eyes to observe His presence in all His creation. Oh, how that poem about Jesus’ sacrifice for us moved me to tears! Did you write this? As Lent marches toward Easter, that is a perfect reminder of the lengths and depths of God’s great love for His undeserving children. The photos of the owl that your brother took with the eyes shut and then opened as she responded to the owl babies’ call, exemplifies God’s protective instincts He has given to all His creatures to love and nurture the young. May your March and Easter be blessed!
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Yes, Martha, I did write the poem. I’m grateful it touched your heart. We can’t even touch the surface of describing what He went through for us, can we? I love your observation of how the owl “exemplifies God’s protective instincts He has given to all His creatures to love and nurture the young.” So true. We can learn so much from God’s creation and creatures. May your March and Easter be blessed as well! Because He lives, we can face tomorrow! Love and blessings to you!
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I agree with Martha, Trudy. That is a beautiful poem evoking the true sacrifice Jesus made and the hope for all of us because of the Father’s love. I am blessed by your words. And I am always blessed by the photos you share! It’s marvellous how John found a way to get the owl to open it’s eyes! Technology has its perks! We still have snow here, so spring seems to slow to arrive; however, I did see a (Hairy?) woodpecker on one of our trees in the backyard. A day or so before I heard it, but could not see it. So, it was a treat for it to be in a tree where we could see it from our kitchen window. I hope you continue to see spring springing up all that it has to offer–flowers, green grass, and migrating birds coming back to settle in for the summer months.
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Thank you, Lynn. I’m so glad you were blessed. That is a treat that you got to see and hear a woodpecker! Hopefully, you’ll see more birds soon! I heard a mourning dove this morning. It sounded so soothing. 🙂 Love and blessings of spring springing up!
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Yes Trudy, I agree with Martha and Lynn that your poem is so beautiful and expressive of what our Lord went through for us! Thank you so much for sharing from your heart with all of us. This whole post is so encouraging for me after a very long few weeks. But I am so thankful to finally have 3 teeth removed, even through the heaviness that came after. God is so faithful through every season and every trial. He brings beauty in the hard. Thank you for being some of that beauty for me. ❤️🙏 Blessings and love dear sister.
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I’m so grateful you were encouraged, Bettie. Knowing the extent to which He suffered for us helps us through the heaviness of trials in this life, doesn’t it? Thank you for your kind encouragement. You are some of that beauty for me as well! Next Monday on the 30th I have surgery for some hernias along an old abdominal scar, probably from coughing fits. I’m nervous. Please pray that my heart will rest in our Rock and in the truth of what you remind me of here – “God is so faithful through every season and every trial. He brings beauty in the hard.” Thank you for encouraging me along this life’s journey. Love and blessings of healing, strength, and peace through the heaviness you go through in this life!
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Oh Trudy, I will put that date on my calendar and pray for your surgery to go well, and for the Lord to cover you with His peace! Thank you for letting me know. I am so glad we can pray for each other. Hugs and love dear sister. ❤️
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Thank you, Bettie. I so appreciate your love and prayers. Hugs to you, too!
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Oh, what a beautiful post! I love your poem and always look forward to your brother’s beautiful bird pictures. I was amazed at how the one opened its eyes when it heard the sound your brother played! Wow! I think we can learn so much about God and His character by watching the little birds and seeing how He cares so tenderly for them. I pray you are feeling well and that you have a wonderful day, sweet Trudy. Many blessings to you!
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Thank you, Cheryl. Yes, it’s so amazing how much we can learn about God and His character through His creatures. Love and many blessings to you, too!
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Truly, this is absolutely beautiful! This touched me so.
Visiting today from Joanne’s
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Thank you, Paula. It encourages my heart that your heart is touched. God’s love is so faithful! Love and blessings to you!
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I love your poem too, Trudy. And your brother’s bird photos! I’m so thankful for God’s sovereignty over every aspect of the world. As you say, “He never fails to keep nature running like clockwork.” Praying for you, dear friend.
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Me, too, Lois! God’s sovereignty over every aspect of the world truly gives hope through all the chaos in this world and through the heavy trials of life, right? Thank you so much for your prayers, my friend! I appreciate it so much! Love and blessings of God’s unfailing love to carry you through!
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Dear Trudy!
Thank you for your welcoming spring post! All the well-chosen words, the beautiful pictures, the spiritual lessons. So delightful, so nurturing.
My husband built an owl nesting box this week and put it way way high up in a tree. We’re hoping that maybe we’ll get a visitor sooner or later.
Easter week blessings to you and yours, dear one. You are a blessing to so many.
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Thank you for your kind encouragement, Linda. I’m so glad you were nurtured here. I sure hope you get an owl visitor! Easter week blessings to you and yours as well! Love to you!
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Love to get a quick message of hope injected into my day. I am glad I saw your post.
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I’m so glad hope was injected into your day, Stacey. Love and blessings to you!
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