Solstice Time
The Audacity of a Chickadee
The short hours of daylight are upon us. And with the darkness comes the snow and cold. We just had a long week of weather; starting with rain, wet snow, sleet, dry snow, and now heading into a subzero freeze. It is a trying time for all, even with our modern day conveniences. We are at the mercy of our planet’s condition - its weather pattern, its relationship to our sun - and so are the birds.
Every winter in the subzero days, it is often the visit of the chickadee to the bird feeder that makes us pause and marvel at the hardiness and spunk of a tiny bird existing in such harsh conditions.
This bird is an inspiration to many and here is one wonderful example by Former Pastor Bruce Benson of St. Olaf College:
"I have heard faith described as a bird that feels the light and sing while the dawn is still dark.
During bleak mid-winter in Minnesota, there are days when we could name that bird; we would say that faith must be a chickadee.
One of the most amazing things about the chickadee is its ability to know, without the benefit of a calendar, which side of the winter solstice it is on.
One might guess that the bird’s winter song would be triggered by falling leaves, falling snow or falling temperatures.
But that can’t be the explanation, because often during January, when we human beings are muttering and complaining about the long cold darkness of mid-winter, the chickadees begin to practice their spring and summer song.
Faith is like that. It doesn’t take its cues from the cold harshness of the world, it takes it cue from the warm heart of God.
And, with the chickadee, it sings for joy."
Love this observation of faith through a chickadee ❤️