BLUEBIRD HILL

My lucky friends post Facebook pictures of bluebirds nesting near their houses making me long to see the beautiful creatures in my yard. Pushing down envy, I lament that we don’t have the right conditions to attract bluebirds. Poor me and all that.

Then my friend, Cliff, who knows more about bluebirds than I ever will suggests a place near the bottom of our yard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I texted him a picture. You mean here?

“Yes, by the azaleas.”

But wait a minute, I ask. “Isn’t it too late? Aren’t they already nesting?”

“Yes, but you might get a pair for their second nesting,” he encourages.

My heart sings.

Humming, I set to work seeking an abode designed especially for bluebirds, and I order one online that night. But when I find it won’t arrive for almost a month, I cancel the order and do what I should have done in the first place.

The next day, I go out and buy one at Birds Unlimited, which makes me feel good on two counts. I’ve helped someone in my city while enjoying the immediate satisfaction of holding it in my hands.

 

I bring that bluebird house home and begin my campaign for Terry to install it — right away. But he’s a busy guy, building sets at Wildwood for Praeclara and doing his favorite thing–singing in the UALR choir. Not to mention getting a rent house ready to list.

So I remind myself — Give the Guy a Break.

There’s time for him to install that house when it fits into his schedule. After all, we’re in that waiting period.

Once again, I realize how impatient I get when I want something beause

I catch myself nagging

Just a little

until he buys a 4 x 4 post and brings out the posthole digger.

I give him instructions where to put it at the west end of our lower flowerbed.

But my man of vision suggests the opposite side where we will have a better chance of getting glimpses of blue as the birds come and go.

As usual, he’s right. I give the nod and he plants that baby firmly in the ground.

Having done all we can do, now we are waiting with hopeful hearts.

Then I resolve that if some other feathered friend takes up residence, I’ll be grateful—because they are all God’s creatures.

Still, I’m murmuring little prayers for flashes of blue at the its door.

You knew I’d find a lesson in this experience.

But aren’t there always lessons if we look for them?

• It’s okay to share your dreams.
• Two heads are better than one.
• It’s wise to accept advice.
• Waiting is hard.
• We learn patience by waiting.
• Prayer usually calms me.

Please tell me if you can think of others.

I’m always in need of a lesson.

A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

Proverbs 1:5