Something happens on about the third week of February here in northern Indiana every year. I have kept track of it for over 30 years and it has never missed. What is the event? It’s the return of the Red Winged Blackbird! Okay, so maybe you’re not a huge fan of spring, or love to explore the woods and nature like I do, and you might be thinking big deal!
Every year, this particular species of bird returns to its nesting ground to begin ‘it’s year’. When I heard that first lone male calling out on February 16th this year, I just couldn’t help but smile and say, “welcome back”! The males will get here first and establish their own nesting territory before the females arrive a few weeks later.
The Red Winged Blackbirds are extremely territorial! You can already hear them ‘calling out’ to one another-and the call repeats every few hundered yards from bird-to-bird, on down the banks of the stream or marsh, until you can’t hear them anymore. I used to think they were talking to each other like “Hi how ya doin?” But it’s actually more like, “THIS IS MY TURF AND YOU BETTER KEEP OUT!” If you get too close to one of their active nests, you just might have an up close and personal encounter with one of these birds! But aside from being a true harbinger of spring, I’m always amazed at how even this one small part of nature, is a simple and consistent reminder to me of God and his awesome creation.
“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” Matthew 6:26 NLT
It seems like the more I enjoy and learn about creation, I realize all of nature points to the God who created everything. The structure, the order and the repeatability of everything-from the change in seasons, to the return of the birds in spring at the exact same time every year! If we are looking, we can see constant reminders everywhere that God is in control!
Till Next Time…..
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