The other day I had an unusual amount of bird activity just above my back deck. At first, I thought, “Oh, look at those amazing seagulls, floating effortlessly over the back yard”, then I realized there were WAY TOO MANY of those “amazing seagulls”. I stepped out onto my back deck and was nearly overwhelmed by what can best be described as a scene from Hitchcock’s The Birds. Well over 30 seagulls hovered above our yard. There was also an inordinate number of ravens resting on any horizontal surface near the house…just our house, not the neighbors! All of them were squealing and cawing above the wind. It was eerie, and definitely needed investigation.
I surmised that the lid to our garbage can had been lifted by the wind, perhaps they were getting food scraps. I went downstairs and was surprised to find the lid to our trash securely in the close position. Mysteriously, the ground around the garbage can was littered with cereal crumbs. I opened the garbage can, it was not even half full, and yet one of the bags had been torn open. It was odd that the only thing which had been dug out from the bag, and onto the ground, was the remains of some old cereal. Everything else the trash bag held was undisturbed.
I stood transfixed for a bit, trying to imagine how the scene played out. How could the contents get strewn about when the lid was not open? How did the birds, without opposable thumbs, manage to expertly lift the lid, removed a specific food, then reclose it? As I swept up the remaining food debris, the birds slowly left our abode. By the time the last of it was cleaned off the ground not a single bird remained in sight.
My current theory, the one that lets me sleep at night without imagining a more sinister possibility involving large animals, is that the lid was blown open by the wind earlier in the day. When the birds began to forage inside for treats, they must have inadvertently knocked it closed again.
Still, it was an odd event…and one that has changed my method of handling our trash cans. These days you will always find a heavy rock on top of our trash can…in case of strong winds or industrious birds.
So often as a Christian I have heard of rocks in reference to a good and strong “foundation”. In scriptures, obedience is likened to a house built on a “rock” foundation…strong and sure. Jesus called one of His disciples Peter,(Petros:rock). Jesus even referenced rocks when speaking of divine revelation, and profession of faith in Christ when he said “…upon this rock I will build my church.”
In my mind, I relegated “rocks” to being something I need under my feet. It is true, rocks are a good and solid base for building, and a must for anchoring, but what about the “lids” in life? I have carefully built on a foundation. I have studied the Bible and attended church. I love God and am thankful He forgives me, all I am is due to His abundant GRACE. BUT….when I think about it, I think I tend to keep that all under my feet. This may be good, but is it enough?
How easily does the world lift open my mind. How much do I neglect the keeping of all that is within my heart? How easily do I allow my peace, joy, and hope to be sifted through and scattered? I think we need “a rock on top”. How do we secure our heart and mind? By relying on His Word and fellowship with those who share our faith. God’s Word is our “rock on top”. It keeps us steady, strong and encouraged.
“Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with faithfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my sedeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Tuesday With Teri 