Beauty and True Colors: Blue Jays and More

Blue jays are beautiful birds at first glance. Their gorgeous colors and distinctive markings catch my eye every time.

But if I watch them long enough, I see their true colors—and they’re not very pretty. I’ve found that blue jays are bullies.

Yes, these aerial playground ruffians do their best to intimidate other birds who dare to share their neighborhood. I’ve witnessed some of their bully behavior first-hand but have also read what Wikipedia has to say about them.

Blue jays swoop in and try to chase away less aggressive birds, sometimes invading their nests and stealing their eggs, chicks, or even the nests. At times, they chase other birds from feeders and sometimes even attack or kill smaller birds. They use their harsh sounding voices to intimidate as well. Even though beautiful, blue jays are in reality bully birds.

What about us? What about our beauty?As we think of all the pains we take to make ourselves beautiful, what do people see—or hear—if they watch us for any length of time? What true colors do they find? Do they see a beauty that’s short-lived? A beauty that quickly gives way to ugly behavior?

Let’s do our best to show the world a beauty that’s real and enduring. Let’s allow our beauty to spring forth from our love for God. Let’s let our true colors reflect him.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV

*What beauty are you attracted to in others?

*Fyi, blue jays aren’t all bad. I read that they help protect other birds when they chase away predatory birds like hawks or owls. They will also scream if they see predators in their territories, and they’ve been known to give an alarm call when dangers are near. Smaller birds many times recognize the call and hide in response. Maybe we can take encouragement from this. When we mess up and our beauty disappears, positive things may still be found in us.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

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A Time for Everything—Even A Time to Hide

“When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.” John 12:36 NIV

Ever have times when you feel like hiding?  I bet we all do—and we’re in good company. The apostle John tells us that Jesus hid too.

The instance in the scripture above took place in Jerusalem during the week before Jesus’s crucifixion. While speaking to a crowd, he predicted his death and encouraged the people to “‘Believe in the light . . . so that you may become sons of light,’” (first half of v.36). Then he left and hid from them.

We aren’t told why Jesus hid from the people at this time. Maybe he needed a break from the crowd surrounding him daily. Or possibly he was trying to prevent an uproar that could lead to his death before the time was right. He might have wanted the people to have time to consider what he’d just said. Whatever the reason, Jesus saw the importance or felt the need to hide.

An oft-quoted passage from the Bible tells us that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”(Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV) If Jesus saw that there was indeed a time to hide, should we not secret ourselves away at times as well?

So when should we hide away—either from everyone, those outside our closest circle, or maybe just from our work environment?

One instance might be when we’re in serious need of rest or refreshment. Another could be when we need some time to focus on a certain project, person, or aspect of our lives. There may even come a time when we need a period of healing or a season when we need to hide for protection. And we always benefit when we take time to hide away with the Lord, through daily time in prayer and the Word and also in extended times alone with him.

I wonder if it’s a time to hide for any of us right now. Can we sense the importance of such a time? Do we feel the need? Let’s remember that there is indeed a time for everything. Yes, even a time to hide.

“. . . hide me in the shadow of your wings” Psalm 17:8 NIV

*When was the last time you hid? Why did you do it? What resulted? Do you need to hide now?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early November. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by It’s No Game, Creative Commons License

Patience Acrostic: 2023 Theme Word Refresher

**I will be taking a blogging break the rest of this month. See you back here in early August!

A few years ago I wrote an acrostic as a refresher for my theme word that year, and I enjoyed the exercise so much I’ve done it each year since then. 

For me, the creative exercise of writing acrostics is an excellent way to go deeper in my consideration of my theme words each year. Doing so helps me think of different aspects of the word.

As I remind myself of and reflect on my 2023 theme word patience, I pray you find something to help you grow in patience as well. Or if you chose a theme word of your own this year, maybe you will be inspired to do something similar with your word too. Whatever the case, friends, may you be blessed and encouraged as you read!

Place your worries, concerns, and stresses in the hands of God.

Ask the Holy Spirit to grow this fruit that helps you wait and show peace and kindness.

Think before you act, speak, or make decisions.

Incline your ear to the Lord, listening for his guidance and waiting on his timing.

End selfish hurry and go slowly and calmly when needed.

Narrow and trim your list of obligations to reduce your stress levels.

Call to the Lord when frustration and anger bubble up.

Endeavor to see the big picture and the blessings and growth that result from waiting, trusting, and acting in love.

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,” Colossians 1:11 NIV

*When is it most difficult for you to show patience?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early August. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

Focus Helps Us Finish

Focus. A word that most of us need to say to ourselves time and again, right? As a writer, I have to remind myself to focus repeatedly in order to stay on task with my main projects. And that rings true for most projects and goals we have in life.

I witnessed the perfect example of staying focused several years ago. I got to watch a bird build a nest one morning. The photo above is of that very bird at work.

I had taken my camera outside, hoping to spot a photo-worthy sight. I wasn’t disappointed. I spied a robin building her nest in a neighbor’s tree. Lucky for me, it was on a lower branch that overhangs our yard.

As the bird worked steadily, I approached more and more closely, unable to believe how close she actually let me get. It was almost as if she had blinders on. Nothing distracted her from the all-important task at hand.

She even seemed to work in rhythm. She flew to the ground, seeking out the next twig or blade of dried grass to include in her newest home, and then with her latest find grasped safely in her beak, she’d fly back up to her nest-in-progress and place it just so, tamping it down and forming it to her specifications. If she gave my interloping presence any thought, she didn’t let it show. She just worked on.

The qualities that enabled my feathered example to finish her project will help me complete my work as a writer as well. Steady work, ignoring distractions, finding a rhythm that works, using the best materials, skilled craftsmanship, and perseverance will all work together to help me create written works that can touch the lives of others. You may not be a writer, but I’m sure these same qualities help you complete your work successfully as well.

Focus. A quality we need day in and day out. Next time we get distracted or feel tempted to give up on our projects or dreams, let’s remember my little mentor with wings. Let’s keep working on too!

“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” 2 Corinthians 8:11 NIV

*Where do you need focus in your life right now?

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out today. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is FREE. *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

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