For many years the Winget’s have had Annie come out to help around the house. In my 2years of living here ive had the opportunity to get to know Annie. Annie is a bird lover…well really an animal lover in general. In recent weeks ive been coming inside the Big house on my days off to be on the internet and just hang out. In doing so i also hang out and chat with Annie. In Annie’s free time she takes care of her birds. Her birds are her life. I watch her week after week take care of the birds here at the farm. She puts up humming bird feeders and always brings pictures of her own birds to show me. Today she told me a story of the Hudson river plane crash. She said it broke her heart that they took all the geese from the area and killed them. Now sometimes its better to let her say her peace then say yours. I mean she gets fired up! But every week theres a story. She always talks about the bird rescue place. Or a new bird she got. Today as she finished her story of a bird in her flowers, she said “My birds are a lot of work but life wouldn’t be the same without them.”
 
I realized this week what messes we are. Sometimes i think ‘ why did you pick me, God?  look at what  a mess i am.” I can be easily swayed or sometimes in the midst of the battle i loose trust and sight of the prize. Time and time again He says ‘you are a mess but i love you anyways.” What peace that brings. Much like Annie’s affection for her birds; thats how God has set His affection on us.

How does He show us these affections? Well, really its all around….just open your eyes! But for something tangible here are some verses that would lead your thoughts to His affection for YOU:
Matthew 6:31-34
Philippians 4:19-20
Luke 12:28-31
Matthew 19:29-30
The one that really pierces my heart and encourages me to continue to step forward in the Journey towards the World Race is this: Luke 12:28ff
” But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe YOU–YOU OF LITTLE FAITH!And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. INSTEAD, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s GOOD PLEASURE to give you the kingdom….”
 
Each step we take in trust, leads us closer and closer to His embrace.
So again, i don’t get why He takes so much time with us but from Annie’s words, “My birds are a lot of work but life wouldn’t be the same without them.”