Wayne Weekly “Don’t Judge a Bird by Its Color”

We have three or four birdfeeders in our yard. My wife, Evie, has this innate conviction that she must feed the birds all year long.  I support her in her persuasion and since I like birds too, I don’t complain much about the cost of good birdseed. We avoid the round little dark brown seeds. For some reason our birds just seem to scatter them about and leave them behind.

Already this year the Robin’s nest that was used last year became occupied with Mama Mourning Dove. She had two babies…and they grew incredibly fast. How they all fit in the nest is beyond me. If you are familiar with Mourning Doves they make a peaceful cooing sound (kind of like a pigeon, they are in the same family)). Here is Wikipedia description:

The Mourning Dove is a member of the Dove family,. The bird is also known as the Turtle Dove, American Mourning Dove or the Rain Dove, and was once known as the Carolina Pigeon or Carolina Turtledove. Wikipedia

Now, what’s my point?

I think the Mourning Dove is kind of so-so looking. I mean they are only moderately attractive birds, not colorful or striking to look at like a Cardinal or Oriole, but their bodies go with their cooing. I guess, could I say “soothing”. To hear the “song” of the Mourning Dove is peaceful. Its name comes from the sound it makes…though I don’t think of it as a mourning sound.

People can be like birds. They may not always be vogue in their appearance (a pastor of mine a number of years ago said that a person can be vogue and still be vague), but their song is peaceful. They have the God given ability to “calm us down”. Maybe that’s part of the spiritual gift of mercy, I don’t know exactly.

So next time we’re looking for a spiritual giant because of his or her outward charisma, overt abilities, fame, fortune or whatever, it might be good to look at how a person loves his neighbor and uses their spiritual gift or uses the “gifts of the Spirit” to bless others.

Don’t judge a bird by its color.