Spring Music

I have spent several days outside planting flowers; an activity that gives lots of opportunity to commune with nature. While kneeling down to put some starts into the soil I heard a familiar whizzing sound that I had been eagerly awaiting this Spring. I knew instantly what that sound meant. The hummingbirds are back. Dan and I love to watch the hummingbirds. We have two feeders full of nectar. One is attached to a window right beside Dans desk where he works on his computer writing and creating every day. He often has clients and associates sit in the big leather chair right next to that window. Only a couple feet away on the opposite side of the glass flit some of Gods most amazing creatures.........sailing to and from the tree to the feeder. The activity of those small creatures never ceases to amaze us and often entertains our guests.
In the past few days we have been watching a rose-breasted grosbeak and two Baltimore oriels at our feeders. The oriels are about 7-8 birds yet they eat from the hummingbird feeders. We were told these two varieties of birds are not native to this area but are only passing through on their way North for the summer. If we hadnt been in tune with our surroundings we would have missed seeing their beauty in our yard.
I wonder how often people miss Gods beauty right in their own surroundings because they dont take time to listen and observe. I am reminded of Ken Gires book Windows of the Soul. Gire has taught us both to look for God in art, in music, in movies, in nature and poetry and literature and yes, even in our work.
Tomorrow (May 7th) is Dans 60th birthday. We have been best friends for well over 40 years now. Where have the years gone? Perhaps it is because we are getting older that we recognize more the importance of listening and observing our surroundings. God is in abundance everywhere. We have never been more aware of that than since moving into our country home setting. We will take time tomorrow to walk together and perhaps go to the Frist Center For Fine Arts in Nashville. I know we will see God in many events of the day. Because we are looking for him all the time.....and listening.