Yesterday morning had me driving around the south west end of Utah Lake. I have been over by the boat launching area, but I have never ventured any where further past that. And although the real reason why I was driving was just to find a back road I could go exercise on--the more I got into the country/farm parts, I was too mesmerized to get out and exercise. Ha! (I know that is not a good excuse!)
As I came around a bend/heading on the west road of the lake, I was completely taken aback by how many birds were flying everywhere! You hear of dolphins dancing with boats as they ride in the ocean... well I was surely dancing with birds as I hugged the road next to the lake. They were EVERYWHERE! I was worried they were going to hit my car because they swarmed at all angles. It was breath taking.
I was intrigued by the yellow headed black birds! Although they are beautiful to behold, their song was less then beautiful to listen too.
There are 6 in this tree! Can you see them?
There were a few birds with a hint of blue in their feathers... I am not sure what they were?? They were defiantly not the mountain blue birds up at Dad's place.
And then I saw, what I now have come to learn is a Western Tanager (type of cardinal). These birds are BEAUTIFUL!! I mean talk about stealing away my heart!
And for the next hour it was my goal to get a good picture of them. As I drove by the side of the road, the Tanagers would stay fairly low to the ground and hop/fly from rock to brush branch. They were beautiful to watch. And then as if they knew I just wanted a shot of them, they would pause so I could take a shot!
They were everywhere! At lest 50 in one area and they were flying back and forth. (I took some video, that maybe I will have to upload sometime after this.) Not only were these birds beautiful to watch and look at, but their songs was equally beautiful! They call them a songbird for a reason!
After taking several videos I figured I had better get back to my place to start off my Sat. As I drove back, my heart dropped as I saw something laying in the middle of the road.
I became sick at the thought that perhaps it flew into my car. But I did not hear anything or ever question whether a bird hit me. Several large trucks passed me... well regardless, I pulled up to the bird and found that it was still alive. It just couldn't fly away.
My whole morning of joy was gone in an instant with seeing this little bird lay helpless in the road. I went to pick it up and it tried to move away but could not. (Although I love birds, I have this thing with touching animals--totally grosses me out...but nevertheless--) I pondered over if it could do any damage to me if it tried to peck at me (I know, I know I am a chicken!) I finally, as gently as I could, picked up the bird.
I could feel it's heart beating. It was very fast. Whether because a giant was holding it or because of being hurt...I don't know.
I wanted to cry. And of all times not to have my cell phone on me to see if I could locate a shelter. I did the only thing I had power to do--I found a high shrub off the ground, placed the bird on the branch
and said a prayer as I drove away. My giddy "dancing" with the birds moment turned into a very solemn drive home. I didn't feel much like being giddy, even though I later came to a tree with a hawk in it
and several more western tanagers dancing through the trees.
I was sick inside to see that little bird hurt--and as I drove home Elder Holland's masterful talk on "Broken Things To Mend" came to my mind.
Elder Holland stated:
The first words Jesus spoke in His majestic Sermon on the Mount were to the troubled, the discouraged and downhearted. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” He said, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” [Matt 5:3]. Whether you are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or among the tens of thousands listening this morning who are not of our faith, I speak to those who are facing personal trials and family struggles, those who endure conflicts fought in the lonely foxholes of the heart, those trying to hold back floodwaters of despair that sometimes wash over us like a tsunami of the soul. I wish to speak particularly to you who feel your lives are broken, seemingly beyond repair....If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended... I love that statement!
To all such I offer the surest and sweetest remedy that I know. It is found in the clarion call the Savior of the world Himself gave. He said it in the beginning of His ministry, and He said it in the end. He said it to believers, and He said it to those who were not so sure. He said to everyone, whatever their personal problems might be:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” [Matt 11:28-29]
In this promise, that introductory phrase, “come unto me,” is crucial. It is the key to the peace and rest we seek. Indeed, when the resurrected Savior gave His sermon at the temple to the Nephites in the New World, He began, “Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” [3 Ne. 12:3 emphasis added.]
"It seems clear that the essence of our duty and the fundamental requirement of our mortal life is captured in these brief phrases from any number of scenes in the Savior’s mortal ministry. He is saying to us, “Trust me, learn of me, do what I do. Then, when you walk where I am going,” He says, “we can talk about where you are going, and the problems you face and the troubles you have. If you will follow me, I will lead you out of darkness,” He promises. “I will give you answers to your prayers. I will give you rest to your souls.” "
"Are you battling a demon of addiction—tobacco or drugs or gambling, or the pernicious contemporary plague of pornography? Is your marriage in trouble or your child in danger? Are you confused with gender identity or searching for self-esteem? Do you—or someone you love—face disease or depression or death? Whatever other steps you may need to take to resolve these concerns, come first to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Trust in heaven’s promises. In that regard Alma’s testimony is my testimony: “I do know,” he says, “that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions.” [Alma 36:3]"
"Brothers and sisters, whatever your distress, please don’t give up and please don’t yield to fear. I have always been touched that as his son was departing for his mission to England, Brother Bryant S. Hinckley gave young Gordon a farewell embrace and then slipped him a handwritten note with just five words taken from the fifth chapter of Mark: “Be not afraid, only believe.” [Mark 5:36]. I think also of that night when Christ rushed to the aid of His frightened disciples, walking as He did on the water to get to them, calling out, “It is I; be not afraid.” Peter exclaimed, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Christ’s answer to him was as it always is every time: “Come,” He said. Instantly, as was his nature, Peter sprang over the vessel’s side and into the troubled waters. While his eyes were fixed upon the Lord, the wind could toss his hair and the spray could drench his robes, but all was well—he was coming to Christ. It was only when his faith wavered and fear took control, only when he removed his glance from the Master to look at the furious waves and the ominous black gulf beneath, only then did he begin to sink into the sea. In newer terror he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
"Undoubtedly with some sadness, the Master over every problem and fear, He who is the solution to every discouragement and disappointment, stretched out His hand and grasped the drowning disciple with the gentle rebuke, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” {Matt. 14:27–31; emphasis added]
"If you are lonely, please know you can find comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope. If you are poor in spirit, please know you can be strengthened. If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended."
Whether we are broken from our own choices or by the choices of others or just the circumstances that life presents us with--Jesus Christ knows us completely.
My full compassion was drawn out for this little bird, that at the time was completely beyond helping itself. My love for for this bird
is not even a pinch of God's love for us. I just wanted to fix the bird, be gentle, and wait to make sure it could survive. Surely Jesus Christ wants to fix all that is burdening us. He is gentle with us and He has a way not only for us to survive, but to find joy and happiness in this life and in the life to come.
Elder Holland reminds us that we first need to go and walk where the Savior is walking, and then, as only so loving He can, Christ will then discuss about where we are going. But we must come first to Him first!
To anyone that is struggling with living the gospel or simply struggling to continue on or even start back up the habits of studying the scriptures, sincere personal prayer, going to church on Sundays--whatever our burdens are that we carry--we can place them on His shoulders! The moment we turn to Him, He comes with healing in His wings! (2 Nep 25:13) No one is too far from His grasp. No one has screwed up too much for His atoning sacrifice to heal and sooth. No one is too lost. There is no problem too big. Whether it be marriage, finances, work, no work, heart ache, physical limitations, monsters in the closet and under the bed...ANYONE who has felt like the bird laying helplessly on the road--the Savior is there! He knows how to make us whole!
Oh how I need Him in my life. My weaknesses are great, often times quite overwhelming--but I know in whom I trust!
Jesus Christ
--is MY Savior. He is yours! And in Him I can find healing, peace and rest. In Him I am made whole!
"...when sings my soul, my Savior God to thee--how great Thou art, how great Thou art"!
HE LIVES! -- I know He does.
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