DAY 61: GETTING CLEAN

How glorious to watch a bird taking a bath - splashing around and looking like its really enjoying itself.  But that is not the only way birds keep clean.....some take a dust bath, although how that helps them to become clean is a mystery to me.  The third method is known as preening, where they use their beaks to transfer oil thoughout the length of the feathers.

For us as human beings, there's nothing nicer than a long hot bath or shower,
but an even greater cleansing is getting into a right relationship with our Creator though His Son, Jesus Christ!

DAY 60: THE CHURCH LOUSE

            

   

The Scottish poet, Robert Burns, was sitting in church one day and happened to notice a louse (insect) roving around the bonnet of a well-to-do lady, probably sitting in the pew in front of him.
This inspired him to write a poem to the louse, which translated from the original language reads as follows:

Oh would some Power the small gift give us
To see ourselves as others see us!
It would from many a blunder free us
And foolish notion
What airs in dress and gait would leave us
And even devotion!

The poet is chastising the louse for not realising how important his host is, but then reflects that, to the louse, we are all equal prey, and that we would be delivered of all pretensions if we were to see ourselves through each other's eyes.

Likewise, the scripture in the picture above reminds us of the importance of being doers of the word and not just hearers.....or we will become those who have no awareness of  who we really are and how we should behave in the light of eternity.  

DAY 59: TEAMWORK

Why do birds fly in V formation? Scientists have determined this serves two important purposes: Firstly, it conserves their energy. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of it, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in front, falling back when they get tired.  In this way, they can fly for a long time before they have to stop for a rest.  The V formation enables adding at least 70% greater range than if each bird flew on is own. Secondly, they are able to keep track of each bird in the group. The brilliance of teamwork!

DAY 58: INSTINCTIVE THIEVERY

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I'm sure you could put quite a few words to this cute picture!

If birds lived by more than instinct, one could imagine the set up for this little heist: like, you three kids distract the next person who comes along by looking really hungry and being your cute irresistible little selves, and I will do the real business of the day.....get some bucks!  

DAY 57: USE YOUR TALENTS

"USE THE TALENTS YOU POSSESS, 

FOR THE WOODS WOULD BE VERY SILENT 

IF NO BIRDS SANG EXCEPT THE BEST." 

Henry van Dyke

Most people are very slow to recognize their own giftings and need others around them to encourage and fan the flame.  But each one is responsible for what God has given, and this where another quote by Henry van Dyke is relevant:                                                                                                         

"It is better to burn the candle at both ends, 

and in the middle, too, 

than to put it away in the closet 

and let the mice eat it.” 

“It is better to burn the candle at both ends, and in the middle, too, than to put it away in the closet and let the mice eat it.” 

DAY 56: EXTROVERT/INTROVERT

There's always one in any group.....the show off, someone who just has to stand out! It's uncanny!  But often they don't even realize they are doing it.
I think the reason is that we've all been wired differently - varying abilities & talents, different experiences of life, people with and without hang ups. Some find it easy to express themselves, others have difficulty opening their mouths in company. But of course we can all learn from each other and help each other along the way. 

DAY 55: THE ROADRUNNER

I wonder how many people remember The Roadrunner? It was quite a silly cartoon we used to see at the movies in the days when it was called bioscope and you got more than just a few adverts, forthcoming attractions and then the movie.  Heck, I even remember the days when you got a 'news reel' (before South Africa had TV....stop laughing!)

Anyway, to get back to the Roadrunner, all I can really remember about him was that he would  appear very suddenly on a highway with a 'beepbeep' sound, and disappear just as suddenly, but managed to crack everyone up in the process. Doesn't seem very funny at all now!!