This is one of the goldfinches who stops by the feeders these days. He listens to me talk to him and he cha-peeps back at me.

Cha-peep!

Except from the best selling devotional Under His Wings ~ Lessons Learned from God While Watching the Birds. 

Moving out of the city was a lonely time for me. I was used to busy streets and human voices. As I adjusted to the many changes, I was sometimes afraid, and discouraged. Longing for company in the woods, I bought bird books, binoculars, bird feeders and many varieties of seeds.

A few days later, the yard was full of song and bright yellow birds. One of the males caught my eye. He was bigger than the rest and willing to wait his turn to eat at the feeders full of thistle seeds. The others were usually settling in for the night when he was finally done feeding.

Early one morning he sat on the feeder pole and sang out, “Cha-peep!” I sang his song back to him. He moved closer and seemed to enjoy my company.

The next morning I wondered if he would answer me. “Cha-peep,” I called to my new friend. Instantly, I heard him echo, “Cha-peep.”

Each day I would call, and he would come. As spring became summer, a little female joined him at the feeders. Soon, two baby goldfinches came with them, and I watched as they taught their young to eat the tiny seeds.

As the number of my finch friends grew, so did my love for our secluded country home. The days flew and although not all goldfinches do, it was suddenly time for Cha-peep and his family to migrate to a warmer climate for the winter. He was gone, but so was my loneliness; God used my beautiful yellow friend to remind me we are never truly alone.

Bird Feeder:

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Birdbath:

“And so I walk in the Lord’s presence as I live here on earth!” (Psalm 116:9 NLT)

Birdhouse:

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b NLT)

For the Birds:

Feeders need occasional cleaning. A sponge on a wire is great for cleaning the liquid feeders.

Others can be sprayed with a garden hose and left to dry overnight. Be sure to refill them early the next morning. Jelly cups, often mounted on a pole, need a drop of dish soap and a small brush to scrub them. Always rinse thoroughly.

To read about how God used this bird to help me adjust to, and fall in love with, country living and made one of my dreams come true visit author Julie Saffrin’s blog HERE.

Until Next Time,

Joy

P. S. Here’s a picture of the first Cha-peep.

Want to read another devotional from Under His Wings? Click to see the book page HERE.