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THE SPIRITUAL IN FEEDING THE BIRDS

The other day I was pouring birdseed into the bird feeder in the backyard of the Monastery and I then poured fresh water in the birdbath. I walked onto the deck and turned around and watched as a few timid sparrows started to land and eat their lunch. I felt like St. Francis of Assisi and then I felt the Holy Spirit's presence as I thought this is my area on earth to tend the garden. I felt it was my small way of helping my Heavenly Father look after the feathery creatures of this planet.

My Dad used to tell me I would be the next Billy Graham (no pressure there!) but I have found what Mother Teresa said is so true at least in my life, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”  I have not done anything for the whole world to know who Richard Fleming Stutz is but within my reach, I have tried to love in my limited way as Christ did. I am humbled to realize that the Creator of the whole world does love me and knows me which in the end is more important than the world knowing me. 

 I cannot feed all the birds in the world but I can feed the ones here within my reach in Indiana. I envision a Sikh in India feeding birds in his backyard. A Taoist in China in the park throwing out bread crumbs to the ducks in the pond. At the temple a Shinto feeding the Hooded Cranes in Japan. On Mount Athos in the Eastern Mediterranean area, an Orthodox Greek monk is feeding the birds from his balcony. In Jordan, a Muslim woman is feeding the birds at her home. All over the world Heavenly Father is feeding His birds and using His children to help. We learn to care and see the fragile balance of life as we feed the birds, may we do so for one another.

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26




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