SAMANTHA ELLEY reflects on the wonder of the natural world…
Northern Rivers, New South Wales, Australia
Not the bird in question but a willie wagtail sings. PICTURE: Donna CameronProsser/iStockphoto
“Praise the Lord from the Earth…small creatures and flying birds.” – Psalm 148: 7 and 10.
I was working away in my office when this insistent noise kept breaking through my concentration. It was actually the beautiful calls of a bird, one which I am yet to identify.
“[A]ll creation has the ability to praise their Maker in their own unique way.”
I was curious, thinking my son was in the next room playing a game on his computer, but no-one was there.
I walked out to the kitchen and through the open sliding doors could see a rather plain-looking black and white bird on the deck railing singing his little birdie heart out.
I stood transfixed as I watched him.
Not being any kind of ornithologist, I couldn’t say exactly what he was doing, but I can take a guess.
I didn’t believe he was calling out for a mate, as I’ve seen birds on our deck make their unique sound, then pause to listen for its echo.
This little fella was singing and chatting, quite happily to himself.
He wasn’t put off by the sounds of humans around him, as my husband was making noises downstairs and after watching him for a while, I started up my coffee machine.
He just kept singing his tuneful throaty sounds quietly and peacefully.
And it reminded me that all creation has the ability to praise their Maker in their own unique way.
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Now, I will never understand why God created spiders, bugs, snakes and cockroaches, although I am aware they are an important part of the natural food web and cycle of life.
However, when I get to hear the beautiful warbles of a little bird, I feel a gratitude and sense of closeness to our Creator.
Back in my very single days I went on safari to Africa and my one prayer was that I would see lions in their natural habitat.
It so happened that on Christmas Day, we came across a whole pride of lions just doing their thing, hanging out without being caged up in a zoo (hence we stayed safely in our van).
It was one of the best Christmas presents to be able witness this.
Those lazing lions may not have realised they brought so much joy to this young Aussie girl, but to see God’s (dangerous) creation up so close, was a good reason to praise Him, in my books.
