Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear?

When my daughter Toi was born, it was basically just myself and her. It was the 1960’s and as per our life then, her dad was drafted and subsequently enlisted so he could choose his own branch of service. We were still in college, but it did not matter. He was an only child, but it did not matter. Viet Nam was in full swing, and you went when called...

“Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near? Just like me, they want to be close to you.”

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing. (Zeph. 3:17, NIV)

...Of course, I thought it was the end of the world. First boot camp, then AIT, then jump school, then on to the JFK center for Special Forces (he was a green beret). Thanks to my in-laws, when Toi was three months old, he was able to see her on a 3-day pass while in one of his schools.

Toi became my comfort and joy and constant companion. Every morning I would sing her Burt Bacharach’s song “Close to You”. That song became a link for us as she grew into a little girl and on into teens and adulthood. Sometimes I would cry as I sang it – then laugh when she would sing “cos to you”, in her sweet baby voice. It was a precious bonding time for us. It was an expression of love and memories every time I sang it. I had songs for my boys too, and then my grandchildren. My granddaughter Ali sometimes sings with me when I sing “her song” (and she’s in college!). It’s personal. It’s just for them. It’s a form of love.

You can imagine the joy I felt when I read this verse: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.”

The Lord my God is with me. The Mighty Warrior who saves. He delights in me! Me! He delights in me! Just as I am. I don’t even delight in me. In HIS love He will no longer rebuke me!

Just as I am - without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am - Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

But the part of the verse that blew me away is that He, my Heavenly Father, rejoices over me with song. He sings over me! It’s a paradox for me to understand. I understand the love of singing over my child, but God loves me, in spite of my unworthiness, to the degree of singing over me! As my sweet Israeli friend Yael would say: Wow. Wow. Wow!

What do I (we), do with the love of God? Hide it? Ignore it? How about sharing it? That’s all he asks of us. Share it.

…Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19, NIV)

See what the Word of God says? Go and make disciples of all nations. We have such an opportunity here in the States to reach the world. Our neighbors are from everywhere! I have Mexican neighbors. I have had repairmen from Russia, South Africa, and Ireland. Toi has local friends from Africa, Eastern Europe, and Barcelona. My granddaughter has a friend in college from Japan. My son will be preaching to a congregation of Pakistanis next month. The world is in our backyard!

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:20, ESV)

We are ambassadors!

What a privilege to serve and what short days we have left to do His bidding.

P.S. Happy New Year 5784! Happy Birthday Steve Cohen, beloved servant of God. May you be blessed with many more years of use for the Master.

Love from my heart,

nanC

Nancy Cohen is the Director of Women's Ministries at Apple of His Eye

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