Are You A Birdwatcher?
By Lou Ann Moore, M.Ed., LPC
Birdwatching or birding means going outside to enjoy watching and studying birds in their natural surroundings….for fun…for relaxing…for social gatherings…for learning! I know some of you are thinking this is just for old people but this is something I began to enjoy several years ago…even before I got older!!
I had an experience in my thirties that gave a new meaning to listening to the birds sing. No longer were they just birds chirping but they were songs of peace, sounds of comfort, and reminders of how much God loves you and me.
This new appreciation for birds came from a place of being painfully aware that sorrow, anxiety, and struggles are real and can be devastating. Why does God allow this kind of heartache and hurt? Why doesn’t He stop it? What can I do to feel better? These were just three of the many questions I had.
As a result of that experience which affected my entire family, my dad, Kenneth Lay, wrote a book, a personal journey along the road of suffering and sorrow, When Sparrows Fall (For Sparrows Do Fall). With his permission, I am including some excerpts from his book.
“The first sparrow, in my life, had fallen and little did I realize how many sparrows were yet to fall during my lifetime…However, above all else, this one thing I know, they do not fall without the awareness of a caring and compassionate God who loves us and wants us to know him as our Heavenly Father. Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet, not one of them can fall to the ground without your Father, that is, without his knowledge and permission. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29, 31 Paraphrased).
“As the hurt of the heart subsides, the sufficient grace of God begins to emerge. Embrace it! Cling to it! Lean on it! In the process of working through your loss and realizing that life will never be the same again, make the necessary adjustments in your lifestyle and in your emotions. Change what you can and accept what you cannot change. Acceptance is the key. Relinquish your sorrow to your heavenly Father, who attends the funeral of every sparrow, who sees every tear that falls, who garners each tear drop and places it in his bottle and records each tear in his book of remembrance. Say with the Psalmist: “You alone are my God; my times are in your hands.” Psalm 31:15(LB)
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix to a heartache when a sparrow in your life falls. However, there are many helpful coping skills to encourage you as you begin the healing process. In addition, the next time you experience heartache, anxiety, or other struggles, maybe you could try going outside, watch for and listen to the birds, and remember “not one of them falls to the ground outside your Father’s care; so don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28, 31(NIV) Your Father loves you very much.
References:
When Sparrows Fall (For Sparrows Do Fall) ; author: Kenneth Lay
**(Book may be purchased from Lou Ann Moore LPC/Transforming Life Counseling Center)
Living Bible
New International Version Bible
Author: Lou Ann Moore, LPC. Lou Ann is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a clinical member at Transforming Life Counseling Center
