by Victoria Heinecke

A simple song to start the day.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“By the streams the birds of the air have their habitation;
    they sing among the branches.”
Psalm 104:12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Jon and I drove to Cincinnati to help our daughter move to a new apartment. There were some issues with getting everything packed in time for the movers’ arrival on Thursday. Over the course of our stay, we traveled to and from their residences, moving hastily packaged boxes and the more fragile possessions that lacked proper materials to pack safely

On our first morning, I heard a bird singing and looked out of the bedroom window of our hotel room. It was a robin, perched on the top of an Austrian pine tree, and his song warbled loudly. I could hear it through the glass window, and it was beautiful.

We left for the old apartment after breakfast, and spent hours packing and cleaning. The next morning, our friend the robin had returned to the same tree, singing the same melodic song.

Every day, we worked. Every morning, the robin returned. I looked forward to seeing him, and every morning he did not disappoint me. His song set my attitude for the day, and the work felt a little lighter.

God sent the robin to help me, and in so doing I could better help my daughter.

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    the birds of the air, and they will tell you;“
Job 12:7 NRSV

There are many opportunities to hear the birds sing, especially in the spring. I like to think that God gave music to the birds for many of the same reasons he gave music to humans. Their song lifts our spirits; it can give us a sense of inner peace; and it can comfort us in times of sorrow.

God created song birds that we may have his song in our heart. May your heart be filled with his song today.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado