Be like the bird who, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing she has wings. ~Victor Hugo
A songbird perches on the highest branch of my neighbor’s tree, thrilling me with its tale.
What does it cry? What lyrics attend the anonymous melody? If I knew the words, I could sing along.
“All nature sings and around me rings the music of the spheres,” the hymnist observed. “The birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white declare their Maker’s praise.”
Why is my tongue so silent? What ancient wound has left humans, alone of all creation, mute and turned inward, singing our bitter songs of injury and offense? Why don’t wanderers and poets hike through forest and meadow to hear our songs, to receive our blessing, to catch a glimpse of the One in whose image we are made?
One day, with camera in hand, I rambled through an alpine meadow. With every slight turn of my head the mountains, trees, grasses, wildflowers and lake bent toward me–“over here, don’t miss this scene!” The distasteful task of self-promotion was my morning’s struggle–the curse of the introvert with writing to share. To say, “look at me” or “see what I’ve done” seemed wrong. To remain hidden, more humble. I heard a whisper,
Look around, this is what redeemed self-promotion looks like. Who is getting the glory?
I paused, attentive. Sun-splattered leaf, petal and pine cone, rock and dancing water–all in one voice sang a wordless hymn to their Creator. “Look at me! He made me!”
Songbird Sing
- Melanie lifts her head and points her camera at shy creatures only she, with practiced eye can see. Scroll up to see one enchanting result.
- Ginny gathers words, like rare herbs and wild berries, to be crushed through her pain into books of healing and hope. You can find her books here.
- Lily knows mountain peaks by name and laughs with joy from hard-won summits, rehearsing beauty for earthbound ears below.
Songbirds are made to sing.
What song has been given to you to sing? Why do you hold it in, what do you fear?
Lily
6 replies on “Songbird Sing”
How easy it is for one to bounce from shameless self-promotion to more shameless self-flagellation. Either way, a great story stays on the shelf and the world misses the ripest fruit from our tree: our scars.
I like that–the ripest fruit, our scars. Thank you, Robert.
Ah. Redeemed self promotion. A wonderful new phrase He gave you, Janet. A concept that is so new to me too.
Remember, I set out to learn to be more humble this summer? I felt it was risky to desire God to remove my self-centeredness; but asked anyway, thinking He would have to purify me before He could use me more fully. I prayed the request with some fear, wondering in what difficult situations must He engulf me that I might learn to put others first, to set aside my agenda, to learn not to say ‘Look at me!’
Only to find that in His unconditional love and very thorough grace, He teaches not in human ways! Instead of hard lessons, He expanded my teaching ministry FIRST, to show me that it is not what I do, that I do not earn use of the gifts He gives me by my good behavior or attitude. It is by grace He uses me. Ever.
Then He proceeded to show me that the way I rid myself of selfcenteredness is not to somehow discipline myself in difficult, tempting situations; but rather to allow Him to “crowd out” pride with His love. In other words, He teaches humility, by loving and blessing me to a point that real change is the overflow. His brand of unconditional love evokes a humble response. His perfect love fills me and casts out fear of painful lessons, and I am humbled that He could be THAT in love with me. As His love fills my heart, His grace engulfs me and pride has no room in which to live! Then tenderness, compassion, and yes, humility before Him, overflows to others.
I am so very grateful for His heart toward me and His mercy on me. How often I expect an arduous journey only to find His yoke is easy, His burden light!
This made me cry, coming direct from God through you. Thank you, Lily!
Thank you for these beautiful writings you share with us. My heart is full with the wonder of God’s creations and when you add your beautiful, insightful thoughts to images and others’ writings, they show God’s love in a powerful way.
Your pictures do the same for us!