Music Notes

With all of the snow we had last month, I know there were quite a few people without power for a while. The snow caused havoc for roads and schools (although the kids enjoyed a week off, as did my wife). But as I was home, looking out the window one day, I saw a few birds flying around amid the flurries. I wondered to myself how on earth they would be able to find any food in all these feet of snow. So, I decided to take it upon myself to get them some. I went and got a bird feeder, and now I have an aviary in my back yard, which I am enjoying along with the satisfied birds.

On mornings when I am home, I can hear them singing, and their songs sound so wonderful. I kind of imagine them singing songs of thanks for the food that they have. I see wrens, cardinals, blue jays, and sparrows. I am reminded of God’s promise that He provides for these tiny creatures, and that He is concerned for them. In describing this, the Bible encourages us by saying that God is all the more concerned for us, as His children. If these tiny birds can sing joyful songs of thanks, even in a cold and dreary time, then we certainly can, too. And we should, all the more, for the gift that we have been given. We often think about gifts at Christmas, but during Lent we truly receive God’s ultimate gift of love – the sacrifice of Jesus. As Jesus prepared to pay that price, his eye was not only on the birds and sparrows of His Creation, but his thoughts and heart were turned toward us, and the love He had for us. So even in Lent, though a solemn time of reflection, we can still sing songs of thanks and joy for the sacrifice made for us.