Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26
The other day on Facebook I saw a graphic of a small feather floating on water with the caption, “Never ignore a nudge or a whisper from God“. It was timely, as I had just snapped the bottom right picture below of a small feather I found while I was mopping the nursing mother’s room at church. It was probably my first time finding a feather inside and I definitely knew it was a nudge. One of the definitions of nudge is to prod lightly or urge into action. If you haven’t noticed from my post history it’s been a minute since I have written anything. 178 days to be exact. That feather was the nudge and idea I needed to write this blog post.
Over the course of the last five years, I have come across feathers. I’ve come across them on two occasions the day before I would be speaking at a retreat. I would see them on runs when I would be having a hard time to push through. Even when I got sick last fall and was quarantined in my bedroom, I glanced out into the front yard and saw a feather resting against a piece of grass.
Let me tell you, God’s timing is impeccable and He knows what we need. When I find these feathers it is usually when I could use some encouragement, they serve as a reminder of one my favorite names of God, El Roi, the God who sees me. These feathers have been little reminders that my Father sees me, He knows me, and He knows my need for encouragement. It’s like a getting a little note from your mom in your lunch box that says ‘I love you’.
The same God that created the universe knows the number of hairs on your head, know this and the truth that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without His consent. Friend, you are valued so much more by your Heavenly Father than the birds! I believe it delights the Father to encourage His children. Life is hard and He knows that.
Pray for God to open your eyes daily to the little nudges that He places in your life. It could be a beautiful sunrise on your morning commute, an unexpected call or text from an old friend, a bird landing by your window as you are washing the dishes, a heartfelt smile from a stranger at the store, or your toddler laying their head on your shoulder when you pick them up. These little moments could be nudges from God, maybe a call to action or perhaps just a simple reminder that you are dearly loved.
I'm Just Irene 