The Quail (Part two)

While I was watching these quail eat, I notice one quail on the fence, while the others were scurrying around eating. I then realized this was a family. A mother with her chicks were eating and the father was on the fence watching. Why was he watching, why was he not enjoying the feast before him? Why hadn't I noticed him before? So I continued to watch him.
There he stood on his perch, watching his family. Then when it was safe, he joined them. He was watching for intruders, someone who would steal their provision, someone who might distract his family from what they were to be doing. He joined his family in the feast, yet as I watched, he was always aware of what was around them. On alert, on guard. He was there protector. He was their provider. He led them to this place of abundance, and while he partook of the provision, he was always aware of the danger that might be around.
And then it happened, another bird came closer, to where his family was enjoying their provision. But he wouldn't allow it. He chased him away. It was quick, and fierce. He would NOT allow another to come and take from his family. He protected them. He protected them from a thief, an intruder. He protected them, from someone who did not have his families best interest in mind. But the amazing things was this family of quail, mother and her chicks, never even noticed the other quail trying to invade their family. Why?? I beleive it is because they trusted their provider, protecter. They did not worry or fret, because he was there. He was always there.
This made me think of one, our Heavenly Father. He is always there. He is our provider and protector. Finding that place of total trust is an amazing place to live. Perfect peace.
But this also made me think of earthly fathers. Do they truly understand their role? Do they understand the responsibility God had blessed them with, in the protection and provision of their families. Are they leading their families to the place of provision? Are they perched on the towers, watching out for their families? Are they watching for the enemies that would try to sneak into the family?? Are they chasing them away? That is what a father does, he watches, and doesn't allow anyone that would try to take from his family, harm his family, intrude in his family. These intruders may  come in many forms, relationships, entertainment, standards.  Yes, the father's need discrenment, they need to be the one leading their families to provision and watching out, but more than just watching, they need to chase away the enemy. Then the family will feel safe, they can enjoy in the provision because they trust their father, their provider.
I am thankful that I have a Heavenly Father that is always there for me, and I am thankful for a husband who has done this for me and our family.
Father's what are you doing to provide and protect your families? Are you on the perch watching, or are you looking the other way, while your family is in danger?

The Quail (part two)

While I was watching these quail eat, I notice one quail on the fence, while the others were scurrying around eating. I then realized this was a family. A mother with her chicks were eating and the father was on the fence watching. Why was he watching, why was he not enjoying the feast before him? Why hadn't I noticed him before? So I continued to watch him.
There he stood on his perch, watching his family. Then when it was safe, he joined them. He was watching for intruders, someone who would steal their provision, someone who might distract his family from what they were to be doing. He joined his family in the feast, yet as I watched, he was always aware of what was around them. On alert, on guard. He was there protector. He was their provider. He led them to this place of abundance, and while he partook of the provision, he was always aware of the danger that might be around.
And then it happened, another bird came closer, to where his family was enjoying their provision. But he wouldn't allow it. He chased him away. It was quick, and fierce. He would NOT allow another to come and take from his family. He protected them. He protected them from a thief, an intruder. He protected them, from someone who did not have his families best interest in mind. But the amazing things was this family of quail, mother and her chicks, never even noticed the other quail trying to invade their family. Why?? I beleive it is because they trusted their provider, protecter. They did not worry or fret, because he was there. He was always there.
This made me think of one, our Heavenly Father. He is always there. He is our provider and protector. Finding that place of total trust is an amazing place to live. Perfect peace.
But this also made me think of earthly fathers. Do they truly understand their role? Do they understand the responsibility God had blessed them with, in the protection and provision of their families. Are they leading their families to the place of provision? Are they perched on the towers, watching out for their families? Are they watching for the enemies that would try to sneak into the family?? Are they chasing them away? That is what a father does, he watches, and doesn't allow anyone that would try to take from his family, harm his family, intrude in his family. These intruders may  come in many forms, relationships, entertainment, standards.  Yes, the father's need discernment, they need to be the one leading their families to provision and watching out, but more than just watching, they need to chase away the enemy. Then the family will feel safe, they can enjoy in the provision because they trust their father, their provider.
I am thankful that I have a Heavenly Father that is always there for me, and I am thankful for a husband who has done this for me and our family.
Where are the fathers? What are they doing to provide and protect their families? Are they on the perch watching, or are they looking the other way, while their family is in danger?

The quail (part one)

As I was waiting to pick up my son the other day, I was in amazement of a family of quail. Here they are in the front yard of a worn down trailer and they were feasting. The yard was full of garbage, dog poop, dirt and weeds.Yet that did not stop them from enjoying the provision that was there. While across the street, was natural landscape, with a wash running through it. (Now, I live in Phoenix, so of course the wash was dry). Yet there were bushes and plants and even some mesquite trees. But these quail were not in this environment eating. They were in "the dump" eating. I was reminded of the scripture," Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?" Matt 6:26
First I thought of how God provides. Simply, He provides. We may think that, why here, why this. But it is God's provision. His way.  He provides in ways that we may think, aren't desirable. Here these quail are eating, in abundance in "the dump". What we look at with the human eyes, God sees ENTIRELY different. He sees PROVISION. Everything is His, and His provision, no matter where it comes from is still PROVISION. What I saw as "the dump", these quail saw as abundant provision.
In my flesh, I would have much rather been in the beautiful wash across the street. It was pleasing to the eyes, and seemed a great source of provision. But with God, He knows what is the BEST place for us, and our provision.
God ways are higher and beyond my comprehension, so instead of trying to find "the more desirable" place, I desire to look, for the "God place" for me. He knows what I am in need of, before I do. He knows my future. So the places He takes me for provision, are all part of that.
These quail, didn't look for beauty, they look for where the provision was. And where the provision was, WAS BEAUTY.
Finding beauty from the Lord in all things.

There is none like you

Standard and Scales

In reading Proverbs, I have read quite a bit about how God detest dishonest scales. This has always interested me. I have understood this in part, but I believe now I am understanding it in a greater way.
When I compare myself with others, I am making ME the standard. When judging others, I am making ME the scale. That is what comparison and judgement does. It says "I must know the right way", therefore I must be the standard, and the bible calls that IGNORANT. So in this revelation to my heart. I now read in Proverbs about "false weights and unequal measures" that brings it to a whole new understanding to me. Then there is the scripture that says "The Lord detest double standards; He is not pleased by dishonest scales" Double standards; do I judge people, then justify my own actions??? Dishonest scales? Do I really look at myself honestly???
Comparing makes me the standard and WHO AM I??? God wants accurate scales, I am bias, if I create the scale; sometimes I am too hard on myself, other times I think I am better than I am.
The accurate scale is the WORD. The accurate scale is LOVE. That is the only thing to measure myself by.

New Beginnings

Today is a new day, a new year. I am in great anticipation for what the Lord has for me this year!
"Finishing is better than starting.
     Patience is better than pride"  Eccel. 7:8
My word for this year? RELENTLESS
I read this from John Bevere's "Relentless"
'Our Almighty Father declares. "I am ready to perform My word" (Jeremiah 1:12) Notice that He is ready. When will He preform it? The simple answer is, when someone believes Him. Jesus affirms that "all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23). So let's relentlessly believe!'
Could it be that I have not believed enough? This statement is profound, yet so simple. BELIEVE
RELENTLESSLY BELIEVE
I can't wait to see what is ahead for me and my family as I relentlessly believe and see God perform His Word!