Article and Photography by Norma Beaird
At the end of last August, Curtis and I were on our way to the Recycle Center (the dumpster where we take our trash). Usually, we have our cameras with us in case of a new bird sighting or just in case the good Lord provides us with a unique sunset. On this particular day, we were driving slowly down the country road when something caught my eye. There were a line of trees on the right side of the road, but behind those trees was a pond lined with old Cypress Tree stumps. Standing on those trees was the most magnificent sight. There were approximately 75 Wood Storks standing on those stumps, all over the pond, and in the woods behind the pond.
This was not a sight that we expected to see. It was as though we were peeking into a fantasy world. Consequently, we had been wanting to photograph Wood Storks for quite a while. We had once again missed going to a National Wildlife Refuge where the storks breed each year in Georgia, and we were disappointed that we had missed this opportunity. However, God knew the desires of our heart and He birthed a blessing on the way to the dumpster.
For many years, storks have been part of a legend involving the birth of babies. The legend of the stork delivering a baby began with the famous 1838 fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen entitled, "The Storks". Even though storks don't deliver babies, the association of the stork and birth actually birthed a thought process and a question in my mind.
What if we actually lived every day with an attitude of hope and expectancy,
as though each day God could birth a new idea,
a new blessing or a new miracle in our lives?
So many times, we go through the day, never expecting anything good to happen. It's the same 'ole routine, the same 'ole job, same 'ole menu, same 'ole.....everything. We never expect anything good to happen or to be "birthed" in us because things like that always happen to other people. However, on this very ordinary day, going to do a very menial task of taking garbage to the dumpster, God blessed us to see something that many people never see. Wood Storks. And not just one Wood Stork, but many Wood Storks.
Since that day, I try to look at life a little differently. Maybe on this ordinary day, after eating my ordinary breakfast and drinking my ordinary cup of coffee, God may have a surprise blessing for me. Maybe the Lord will open up a door that has been closed for a long time. Maybe He will show me a path where He would have me to walk. Maybe He has a job for me to do where I can bless others. Every time I look at these pictures of our Wood Storks, I am reminded to never take any day for granted. You never know when God has a blessing.....just around the corner.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."
Copyright 2017, Curtis and Norma Beaird. All rights reserved.
