This little guy is a White Wagtail. I love the name of this bird. It sounds like a spunky little thing. Also, being a fan of Chickadees, I love the black markings on its neck and head. It has been awhile since I painted a bird. I forgot how much I enjoy it. These days I am a fan of just about anything peaceful. My husband and I sat out on our little deck the other night and looked up at the clouds as they rolled past, listened to the wind in the trees and pretended for a little while that we were somewhere far away from the suburbs. It was quiet. It was peaceful. It was bliss. School is winding down and I find my students are in just as much need of quiet and opportunities for creative expression as I am.
All of this got me thinking about the quietness of spirit that Christ can bring to an unsettled soul. Through my own choices in life, I have created in the past some difficult situations for myself, very unsettling situations. I've read about the "peace that surpasses all human understanding" and listened to the pastor bless the congregation. I've felt His love settle my heart and my spirit time and time again when it made no sense for me to be calm, and I've observed Him doing this in others as well. I told my students recently, "Jesus will give you as much of Himself as you ask for." What amazing love is that. Never intrusive, never forcing Himself on us, just waiting....waiting to offer His peace and rest to weary hearts longing for a safe place. But more than that is joy, unspeakable joy. It's the joy of knowing that there is One who knows every thing we've ever done, heard every word we've ever said, every thought we've ever entertained and STILL chose to die to take our punishment upon Himself so that we can live in peace with our heavenly Father. And He longs to go deeper with us. He offers truth in His sweet intimacy. His love is not dependent upon our right actions. He loves because we belong to Him. There is no love like that. Don't know Him? All it takes is an invitation. Invite Christ into your heart, sincerely, honestly. He knows you through and through anyway...even if you've refused to see Him again and again. He is waiting. He is willing. "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18
