Parakeets and Other Fowl Provide Answer

All writers need inspiration when trying to find their niche. A couple days ago I asked for divine help on topics for my daily writing.

The Lord came through with flying colors, literally.

Yesterday, I became discouraged after searching online job boards, so I went down by the lake for a quick workout. While walking at a brisk pace, I had an emotional moment and needed to stop. I wanted to know about my future, what else I could possibly do regarding my job search or my writing.

Old gnarled tree roots that had pushed their way up out of the ground near the water’s edge looked inviting, so I sat on one. The cool breeze coming off the lake prompted me to zip up my jacket. The sound of waves lapping at the shoreline calmed me… somewhat. My gaze fell upon the expanse of lake before me.

As tears brimmed, all I wanted at that moment was to make sense of my current situation.

My eye caught movement in my peripheral vision. A mallard and his mate paddled toward me. They came searching for bread crumbs I did not have.

The answers I was searching for didn’t come either, so I got up and resumed my trek. I had covered quite a distance when I stopped at a cove. A swan skimming slowly across the surface of the water added serenity to the scenic view.

Answers. Where were the answers I so desperately wanted?

I usually find such guidance when I feel closer to God, and I usually get there by first listening to worship music. So, I inserted my earbuds and raised my face toward the warmth of the sun. My soul found peace 15 minutes later even though I still had no answers. I turned off the music and headed home.

The sound of small birds flitting about in some bushes caught my attention. I paused and remembered the scripture about God taking care of these creatures. Even though birds don’t sow, reap, or store food in barns, God feeds them. (Matt 6:26).

I asked myself a question that sounded a lot like the one at the end of that scripture: Doesn’t God promise to take care of me just like He does those birds?

Yes, He does. There was a definite spring in my step as I continued onward.

And then it happened. Fodder for my writing that day.

As I approached the old Filter House, I heard squawking in the treetops and stopped to observe.

Could it be?

I read about a colony of these winged creatures living at White Rock Lake and always wondered if it was an urban legend. Yet, here they were in all their green, beautiful splendor. Monk parakeets!

Out came my iPhone. Click, click, click. I had real proof I’d seen them.

Who would have ever thought of birds? The writing material I had been hunting for came in the form of the avian species. A duck and his mate. A swan. Small birds in bushes. Wild parakeets.

Not only will God take care of me as he does these feathered friends, but I believe He also provided them as my first writing topic after I asked Him for daily themes.

Now that’s something to write about.

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life….  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 6:25-26)

Another Fork in the Road

Grueling. Unsettling. Letdown.

Do those three words describe your job search? A grueling and unsettling predicament filled with letdowns.

Five years ago when I took the first step in pursuing my God-given writing talent, little did I know the many forks in the road that I would encounter.

So many unknowns bombarded my thoughts such as what kind of writer I should become.

Should I be a novelist? A blogger? A newspaper reporter? Or a magazine writer? I also considered what type of business or industry my writing could benefit.

And so, after graduating with a journalism degree, I finally felt confident with my academic credentials to make it as a writer.

Yet now, here I stand at a new fork in the road. Not really a new fork, but a very familiar one.

Which path do I take? The one that lands me a job that uses my past work experiences and enables me to support myself? Or the one where I pursue my passion for writing? A career field laden with starving artists.

As I said, the daily job search has been grueling. A letdown when potential jobs haven’t panned out. And unsettling not knowing what my future holds.

Grueling. Letdown. Unsettling. There are those three words, again.

However, I’ve heard it said you may not know what your future holds, but at least you know Who holds your future. 

As a Christian, I know this to be true. God has my back, and He has yours, too. He also encourages us not to be afraid at least a hundred times in the scriptures.

In the mean time, be still and wait patiently on the Lord. Bloom where you are planted while preparing yourself for His next endeavor for you. He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6) He will open doors no one can shut. (Revelation 3:8)

Follow the divine nudges at those forks in the road.

And wait patiently for the Lord's perfect timing for the job He has in store.

“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you....” – Exodus 14:13