Birds and Lent

I have so enjoyed standing at my kitchen sink or in front of our living room window, watching the little chickadees and the mourning doves at the birdfeeder this winter, especially when we experienced an extreme cold snap for about two weeks! 

I've always loved birds, but certainly haven't taken the time earlier in my life to mindfully watch for them.  I've been doing that more often these last few years, having learned the value of slowing down. I especially love to encourage the grandchildren to stop and look as well! They have some excellent bird books and have often walked around their expansive yard identifying bird calls. 

I've been considering what to do for Lent this year, to prepare my heart for Easter.  I plan to read the synoptic Gospels for fifteen minutes daily, but other than that, I have felt no impulse to fast from anything specific. What to do...

The Nature Journaler nature newsletter popped up in my email this morning and the invitation there gave me pause...  I had never heard of this practice before, but it intrigued me. It was a simple, meditative, fresh way to experience the presence of God daily and be reminded of the gifts that He has so generously given us, as the days slowly inch closer to the Spring Equinox with Easter arriving on March 31st. 

I'm participating in the Lenten practice of birdwatching, asking for 'a bird from the Lord' for 40 days, hoping to document it, either in a journal or perhaps here. 

Through the email newsletter, I clicked on the interview on YouTube that explains where this idea came from and how to do it (very simple!). 

I've printed out a PDF checklist (I like checklists!) from the Nature Journaler newsletter. Subscribe here. This is a lovely newsletter inspiring the reader to notice seasonal changes throughout the year and to keep a nature journal, if desired. I haven't been keeping a regular nature journal..yet... (I have so many journals already!) but the idea is lovely!

If you'd like to read more about the lenten practice, check out this article written by Courtney B. Ellis of The Thing With Feathers podcast. If you love birds (or even if you don't), you may want to take a listen. 

And today I was not disappointed. My husband and I went for a walk along the river and-- serendipity! Around the bend we came upon a bevy of swans! We stood and watched from a distance, hesitating to get too close lest they take flight. (My camera does not do them justice.) Thankful for #abirdfromtheLord