Undoubtedly, you’re familiar with the song Julie Andrews made famous in the “The Sound of Music” . . . My Favorite Things.
One of my favorite things is the first bird to greet our mornings—the California Towhee. This morning before dawn, I heard the sweet chirp of a friendly Towhee in our yard beginning its daily search for food. Our local Towhees are really nondescript birds with no exceptional markings. Jon tells me that his father, who grew up on a remote ranch behind Hearst Castle, simply referred to them as “brown birds.” It’s interesting to watch them use both feet to quickly sift through leaves and debris looking for tasty insects or seeds—all the while making their delightful little chirping sound. They are not combative birds, as are the California Scrub-Jays and crows—they don’t harass other birds for the express purpose of preying on their young. Towhees mind their own business, don’t quarrel with other birds, and just live their lives finding food, mating, laying eggs, raising babies . . . and then begin the cycle all over again. They seem to live without worries which is exactly how God wants us to live our lives!
Another of my favorite things are the ancient redwood trees. Redwoods are so magnificent! As a child, our family visited the redwood forests along the coast in northern California—something still vivid in my mind. Only God could have devised a plan to create such impressive, giant trees and then create the trees for us and wildlife to enjoy. It is beyond my imagination how anyone could gaze at the grandeur of one of these enormous trees and not believe that the God of the universe is the One responsible for putting them here.
Fanny Crosby knew God and understood that He needs all the glory!
This leads to my third favorite thing—old hymns! I grew up singing hymns in church and later began playing them on the piano. They provide encouragement and the reasons, as a Christian, that I have hope. The COVID-19 pandemic has everyone in a frazzle. It should serve to remind us that our lives on earth are fleeting . . . a mere vapor. But if we trust in Jesus Christ, we know that life goes on forever—eternal life. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
by Fanny J. Crosby
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1) To God be the glory! Refrain 2) O perfect redemption, Refrain 3) Great things He hath taught us, Refrain |
Frances (Fanny) J. Crosby
Born ~ March 24, 1820 – New York
Died ~ February 12, 1915 – Connecticut
You can read about Fanny’s life here: Miss Fanny J. Crosby: Hymn Writer and Poetess
Thank you for the reminder❣️ Resting in His Awesomeness❣️
❤️ Vicki
Leslie,
Thanks for another beautiful and inspiring post. Not surprisingly, we love some of the same things! You have an amazing way with words and, coupled with how you have appreciated your God, the world and the people around you, it makes for good, thought provoking reading for us.
Alison ~ Thank you for your encouragement. Truly helps to keep me in the game❣️
You are such a gift! We share our piece of the earth with many a towhee as well, and now, they will be yet another reminder of how the Lord connects us all together. I will think of you, sweet bird, singing your hymns of praise, whenever I see or hear a towhee upon our fence or in its nest above. Thank you!
To God be the glory! Amen!
Katie ~ All of God’s creation is so marvelous and compelling. 🙂
Just reread this email. I too have been fascinated by Towhees. I’ve always thought of the Towhee as wearing a suit or dress made out of velvet.
May you continue to experience many blessings today and always.
Luella
Luella ~ Thank you for taking time to share your “take” on Towhees. That never occurred to me; but since you shared from your perspective, I can definitely picture Towhees dressed in a velvet suit or lovely dress as they go about their everyday work. Nothing flashy but oh so elegant! Thank you, too, for your sincere, kind thoughts.