Lightkeeper's Journal

God Answers Prayer with a Sense of Humor

 

The storm clouds were rolling in behind the pecan trees.  

The clouds were turning dark steel blue and we knew that a gully washer was on the way!  

 

Photography by Curtis Beaird

Story by Norma Beaird

 

About a week ago in church, Curtis had requested prayer for rain.... much needed rain. It had become really dry down here and everyone's allergies were giving them fits. The blooming pecan trees were the main culprits. The next day after we prayed, we got rain. Praise the Lord! Then, my allergies continued to get even worse and I asked Curtis to request prayer for a gully washer (a Southern term for heavy rainstorm).

We needed a heavy rain to wash away all of the pollen, dust and every other airborne particle that wreaks havoc on our sinus passages. Again, God answered prayer.  The picture above shows what happened right before the storm broke loose!  Notice where the storm clouds are - right behind the pecan trees.   

God answers prayer, and this time He did it with a sense of humor!  

It seemed as though He was saying,

"See, I'm going to help you out!" 

 

 

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

 

 

 

Copyright 2016, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

We Reached Over 1,000 Bird Checklists in Montgomery County

  

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

 

Since 2013, we have been turning in bird checklists to eBird, a division of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  We mainly count bird species in Montgomery County, but we have also submitted checklists for other counties in Georgia as well.  It has been a very interesting, informative and entertaining experience; consequently, we would do it all over again.  Learning about birds and counting the various species has allowed us to see life from an entirely different perspective.  We can find hope and learn about faith from observing God's glorious creation.  We just wish that we would have started this journey of nature exploration a lot sooner.  

Birdwatching is a very peaceful experience, especially in a world of chaos and confusion.  Birdwatching forces us to slow down, focus, research and identify.  In a world of fast-paced living, birdwatching is calming to the spirit.  We continue to count birds and never cease to be amazed by their beauty and their behaviors.   We highly encourage everyone to look to the trees and the skies!  

 

You never know what burst of color may fly into your life! 

American Goldfinch (Male)

 

You never know what colorful personality may land in your birdbath! 

Blue Jay

 

You never know who may show up for lunch!

American Crow

 

In other words, 

Birdwatching is a blessing! 

 

 

 

Copyright 2016, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.  

Finding Wonder in Nature's Gifts

An American Coot at the Southeastern Technical College lake in Vidalia, Georgia

 

Photography and Article by Norma Beaird

 

This is a typical story with me, especially with certain birds that I've been attempting to photograph for a while.  And, this story happens, especially with birds who won't stay still for five seconds or who dart around the sky and hide in dense shrubs.  It's almost as though they know that you're trying to photograph them, and they decide to give you a challenge.  That's most likely not the case; however, it sometimes seems that way.  

This year, it was a nice surprise to see about twelve American Coots taking up residence on the Southeastern Technical College lake.  The last time that I had seen an American Coot was on a pond in the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge north of Macon, Georgia.  I attempted to photograph him at the refuge, but Mr. Coot had other plans.  Needless to say, I didn't get a very good picture.  

When I saw the twelve coots swimming around the STC lake, I grabbed my camera and thought, "Here's my chance!"  Well again, all twelve coots had another idea.  Almost in unison, they all turned around and began swimming in another direction.  No matter where I went or how hard I tried, they made sure that I wouldn't get a clear picture.  

A few days later, we rode back down to STC; and I thought, "Maybe this time I can get one good photograph of an American Coot!"  Well, the Lord heard my prayer.  We drove into STC and there he was, just sitting quietly by the lake, without the other eleven coots.  We pulled up in the Jeep and I rolled down my window.  I was sure that the Jeep and the noise would drive him away, but it didn't.  He literally stood still as I began to photograph him.  It was almost as though he knew how badly I wanted at least one good photograph.  Then, he got into the water; and again, he sat perfectly still in the water.  

American Coot

The light was just right.  The sun was perfect.  I was very close to the American Coot; but yet, he didn't seem fearful of me.  Sometimes, we truly find wonder in nature's gifts.  Sometimes, all the planets line up and nature gives you that perfect photograph or that perfect experience.  Every once in a while, the hues in the sunset are a perfect blend of salmon, golden yellow and pink coral.  Sometimes at night, you'll walk outside to the sounds of a Barred Owl followed by a gentle breeze.  And then at times, you will see God's spectacular nightlight in a big and glowing full moon on a vivid blue horizon.

Even when everything doesn't always go as planned, we can rest assured that God knows just what we need and on the day that we need it.  These are nature's gifts.  May we always find wonder in the beautiful, ever-changing displays of God's incredible creation.  

 

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

 

 

Copyright 2016, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.