Lightkeeper's Journal

The Birds Still Sing on Cloudy Days

 

The Duchess of Soperton, our Northern Cardinal

 

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Article by Norma Beaird

 

I've thought long and hard about writing this particular article.  I've wondered if it's necessarily the best idea, considering the fact that we're still living in the same area that is the subject matter of the article.  However, sometimes it's easier to be honest about your situation than try to hide the truth of the matter.  

For the last three years, we have been documenting the birds of rural Georgia and submitting our reports to Cornell University's eBird.  We photograph, count, document and write about the amazing avian community in our backyard and in the surrounding counties, state parks and wildlife management areas.  Our birds have been a blessing beyond words to both Curtis and me.  I cannot properly describe with words what our birds have meant to us.   As a matter of fact, our backyard birds have been just one of the reasons that we have kept our sanity in the midst of a very dark place called rural Georgia.  

Within the last three years, a dark cloud has crept in over this part of Georgia.  Drugs, drug trafficking, meth labs and the subsequent meth lab busts have increased and are the subjects of the weekly newspapers. Two of our small-town weekly newspapers have the monthly Jail Report.  This edition of the newspapers feature almost full pages of mugshots, mostly due to drug possession, assault or theft.    

....Talk about the myth of Southern hospitality....

Almost three years ago, I remember having, what felt like, a very dark cloud to descend over me, a cloud of fear and dread.  It felt as though something bad was going to happen and the feeling produced an anxiety about the unknown.  Curtis felt the same thing.  A few weeks later in May 2012, our house was burglarized and approximately $7,000 worth of stuff was stolen, to include a laptop, camera, jewelry, tools, not to mention photos that can't be replaced.  We were devastated.  

We had just returned from a doctor's visit in Dublin, Georgia and Curtis had received wonderful news, thanks be to God and a great doctor.  Later that day, we had driven into Riverbend Wildlife Management Area in Laurens County and photographed the beautiful Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron, a bird that we had not photographed before.  We celebrated the good news with one of our favorite pastimes, birdwatching.  

The Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron scratching his head as we photographed. 

 

We were overjoyed to have found this entertaining bird hanging out in a very swampy area of the WMA.  We had a good doctor's visit, a nice lunch and a fun excursion back on dirt roads in a rather remote avian hangout.  And then we came home....

When we arrived home, our front door was open, a door that was locked when we left.  My heart just sunk.  I knew what had happened.  It had happened twice to my mother and me when we lived in Augusta, Georgia. Words can't describe that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach, knowing that some low-life thief has busted through your door and stolen precious treasures that can never be replaced.  

For a while, Curtis and I were simply devastated.  They had even stolen a one-of-a-kind custom pocket knife that I had given to him on a special occasion, a knife that cannot be replaced.  They had stolen my beautiful Native American Squash Blossom Necklace that was a gift from Curtis, a necklace that I dearly cherished.  

Talk about going into the emotional dumper.....  Many people say that things can be replaced and "just be thankful that you weren't at home...."  That's not the point.  An alarm was sounded that we were no longer living in Mayberry.  We had known for a long time that the seemingly innocent small town that we moved to wasn't the same anymore.  Now, we knew for sure.  

Even though there has been an increase in drug arrests and subsequent takedowns of meth labs, we continue to feel the dark cloud of spiritual oppression.  Drug addiction is a strong, demonic force and drug trafficking is the result of greed and selfishness.  Law Enforcement has a difficult task in taking down a criminal element that has affected this area for decades.  There is a constant battle of good versus evil.   Law-abiding citizens must remain vigilant and alert.     

At times, in various counties over rural Georgia, crimes are committed that are never solved.  Some shootings have occurred that seem to disappear off of the front pages of  newspapers.  Some burglars are never caught.  We have read reports of drug dealers being arrested and then released.  

Sometimes, it feels as though communities remain complacent while the Jail Report continues.  No matter how many arrests are made, it never seems to jar the community as a whole.  Law Enforcement can only do so much.  Communities must rally together and look out for each other, patrolling their own streets and forming neighborhood watches.      

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure things out.  And, no one wants to talk about it or deal with it.  It's easier to ignore it than admit the truth.  Many locals would prefer to turn a deaf ear even though they know what is going on.  As Curtis says, "We are living in a pine straw ghetto."  When people refuse to admit there is a drug or crime problem, then a once-safe community can turn into a crime-ridden ghetto in a matter of months.  

An Umbrella of Faith

Why am I writing about all of this?  Hopefully, we can encourage you to open up an umbrella of faith in the midst of a raging storm.  That's what we had to do and are still doing.  We pray constantly for God's wisdom, guidance and protection.  

In the midst of this dark place, God sent us the most beautiful birds to photograph and document.  We have bought bird identification books, researched them and studied taxonomy. We have fed the birds, filled up the birdbath and even named our avian friends.  We have talked to chickadees, woodpeckers and crows and we have felt their love when we walk outside to greet them in the morning.

In the midst of your dark place, God can send powerful reminders that He created this world and that He is still in control.  

Rocky, the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

 

Therefore, do not despair and don't give up hope.  The answer is on the way.  Don't allow distrust and bitterness to take root in your life.  Allow God to show you the big picture and introduce you to His magnificent creation.  

In the Old Testament, the prophet Elijah had delivered a message to the evil King Ahab, husband of Queen Jezebel.  Elijah told King Ahab that there would be a time of neither dew nor rain.  After the message was delivered to the king, God told Elijah to turn eastward and hide by the brook Cherith.  He would drink of the brook while a raven would bring him food in the morning and evening.  

Whenever I think about how God sent birds to us in the midst of a bad situation, I think about the prophet Elijah and the raven.  The Lord used a bird to physically feed Elijah.  God used birds to infuse our hearts with joy and teach us about migration and nesting behaviors.  Birdwatching increased our focus and our faith. The majesty of God's creation will bring a sense of peace to your spirit.  

In the midst of spiritual hunger and despair, God will feed our souls with the bread of Heaven.  Sometimes, He gives us great joy in the midst of sorrow.  At times, He sends us a distraction from the cares of this life that breathes hope into a seemingly hopeless situation.  He knows all and He sees all.  He is still in control.  

No matter how long you've been in a dry barren land or how desperate your situation, I pray that God will send you manna in the wilderness.   May He brighten your day with blue skies and cotton clouds or the fragrance of a Honeysuckle vine.  May He send you an encouraging word or laughter in the midst of tears.  

Just remember, the birds still sing on cloudy days.  

 

1 Kings 17: 1 - 6

And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab,

As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand,

there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,

Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward,

and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook;

and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord:

for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning,

and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

 

 

 

Copyright 2015, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.   

A Crow and a Blessing

 

An American Crow fly-by after he cawed at me! 

 

On this particularly hot and oppressive summer day, God made me smile as I experienced the beauty of His creation through an American Crow and his entertaining caws.  Crows are very intelligent birds and extremely interesting to watch; and, if you pay attention to them, they will put on quite a show......and sometimes caw or talk to you!  

This fascinating crow not only put a smile on my face, he gave me a wonderful opportunity to photograph his amazing form in flight.  Consequently, since we're bird photographers, we're always excited and very grateful when we capture an avian wonder as he spreads his wings across a lovely blue sky.  God has many blessings for us; and sometimes, His blessings and opportunities show up in very unique ways.

 

A Crow and a Blessing

Photography and Poem by Norma Beaird

 

My spirit was heavy,

exhausted and worn,

the heat of the summer,

felt more like a thorn.

 

My heart needed laughter,

a cool, gentle breeze,

or raindrops from Heaven,

like cascades of peace.  

 

Sometimes God will send us,

the solace of rain,

or treasures like rainbows,

or comfort for pain.  

  

And sometimes God gives us,

the caws of a crow, 

to make us look upward, 

on paths that we go.  

  

The scriptures have told,

of a raven who fed,

God's prophet Elijah,

some meat and some bread.

 

No matter our need,

the day or the year,

God gives us a blessing,

and faith for our fear.  

 

He cawed and I looked up,

he flew from the tree,

his wings and a blue sky,

were lessons to me.  

 

The Lord gives our soul food,

in so many ways,

A crow was my blessing,

This hot summer day.  

 

1 Kings 17: 1 - 6 

1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab,

As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand,

there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

² And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,

³ Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith,

that is before Jordan.

⁴ And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook;

and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

⁵ So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord:

for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

⁶ And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning,

and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

 

 

Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.       

 

Peace Within My Soul

 

Southern Magnolia

 

Peace Within My Soul

 

Photography and Poem by Norma Beaird

 

She was making morning coffee,

on a hot and humid day,

thinking 'bout how things were changing,

in a most uncertain way.  

 

She remembered in her childhood,

days were tough, but God was there,

He is faithful in the struggles,

when life doesn't seem so fair. 

 

As these thoughts consumed her minutes,

then she thought to step outside,

for she heard the birds were singing,

in the golden, bright sunlight.

 

The magnolia tree was blooming,

bees were buzzing all around,

while the wind sent gentle whispers,

here you stand on holy ground.

 

For no matter what is changing,

in this world of toils and fear,

nature still produces beauty,

in the midst of pain and tears.  

 

For when man has thus destroyed,

all that's good and pure and whole,

just to gain a few possessions,

and a bank account of gold.  

 

Birds will sing their song of morning,

butterflies will spread their wings,

red wildflowers bloom in meadows,

for in chaos, nature sings.  

 

As she watched the Eastern Bluebird,

feeding fledglings from the nest,

she's reminded that the good Lord,

only wants for us the best.

 

Even when the world around us,

has decayed in sin and shame,

God is there if we will touch Him,

and will call upon His name.  

 

He reminds us with the sunrise,

and the butterflies and birds,

in the clouds and white magnolias,

and His faithful Holy Word.

 

That when man has thus destroyed,

all that's pure and good and whole,

as I behold God's grand creation,

I'm at peace within my soul.  

 

 

Matthew 6:25 - 34

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 

 

 Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved.    

   

Jesus, Birds & Gospel Music

 

Northern Rough-Winged Swallows

Photographed at Little Ocmulgee State Park in Helena, Georgia

 

Article and Photography by Norma Beaird

 

Happy July 4th!  In many parts of the United States, today is a celebration of freedom, a celebration of flags, food and fireworks!  People everywhere will enjoy barbecue chicken and steaks on the grill.  Children will play in the backyard and adults will enjoy relaxing on their deck or front porch.  In some towns, there will be parades, festivals and concerts.  In other places, families will enjoy their yearly vacation in the mountains, at a campground or the beach. 

Physical celebrations are great, but spiritual celebrations are life-changing.  

Even though the flag is our symbol of freedom, true freedom comes from Jesus Christ.  Winning a battle or a war may give a country freedom from the bondage of an oppressive government.  Jesus fought our spiritual battle by giving His life on the cross of Calvary.  The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ensures that we can have freedom from sin and the bondage of spiritual oppression.  Salvation is a gift of living water in the desert of despair.  Ultimately, salvation gives us eternal life.  

The Bible says in John 8:36:

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

When we photograph birds, we are constantly reminded of the love of God and the freedom that He has given to us.  As God gave birds the wings to fly, the Lord has given us spiritual wings through His work on the cross. If we will repent of our sins and confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we can spiritually spread our wings and fly away from the burden of heaviness that so easily weights us down.  When Jesus gives us freedom, our lives become more productive and our hearts more receptive.  

Spiritual chaos is traded for heavenly peace. 

When a person becomes a Christian, they will find that every day is a spiritual journey.  Each day is a blessing from God.  Every day, we have the opportunity to shine a light into a world of darkness.

We must fill our heart and mind with the inspiration of the Word of God.  Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost.  When we become followers of Jesus Christ, each day we must work on our spiritual building.  We must seek to grow and learn.  We must seek to love and edify others through our relationship with Jesus.

As this BlueGrass Gospel song says, we're working on a building....... 

Featuring The Maharreys singing and playing "Working on a Building"!

 

 

 

Copyright 2014, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

   

Blessings in Disguise

 

Parrish Grist Mill, Saw Mill and Covered Bridge at George L. Smith State Park

Article by Norma W. Beaird

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

 

Many times in life, we must choose to be content.  

Sometimes, either by our own decisions or life's unforeseen circumstances, we end up in situations that are not considered the most desirable. Sometimes, we end up living in places that we normally wouldn't have chosen.  Sometimes, we end up taking certain jobs because it was the only opportunity available at the time.  

And then there are times that we live around family members or work around coworkers who have a less-than-enthusiastic zest for life. Sometimes we end up in financial situations that were not a part of the grand scheme of things, maybe due to job loss, illness, family problems or credit card debt due to poor planning.  

Then the question......what now?  

You've heard the old saying, "Misery loves company."  That is so true.  If you realize that you are in a miserable situation (at least in your eyes) and then you spread that feeling of misery through constant complaining, soon you'll be in a situation that seems next to impossible to change.   

At that point, if you're in a situation that won't allow you to relocate or even change jobs......or, if your circumstance, for whatever reason, dictates that you must stay where you are, you need to re-evaluate your outlook on life and your future plans. You need to find something positive and redeeming about where you are.  

Barn Swallow at George L. Smith State Park 

You may not like that rural area that you moved to; however, you are surrounded by the beauty of nature and the serenity of quietness.  You may not appreciate that big city where your job is located; however, you may have an abundance of restaurant, museum and entertainment options. 

You may be in the role of a caretaker that consumes a lot of your time; but in those quiet moments, you may have the opportunity to learn to knit, learn to bake, start a blog or read a book.  Quiet times can be very inspirational.    

If you're currently suffering financially and can't afford the summer vacation or fancy restaurant, don't let that discourage you.  Find joy in taking a turkey sandwich and chips to the local state park.  Go to Google and search for the free things to do in your area or state that doesn't require a second mortgage.  After all, so many times in life, we spend money on food, accommodations and entertainment that is honestly overpriced.  

Cypress Trees at George L. Smith State Park

To give you an example, on Memorial Day weekend, we wanted to ride somewhere for a couple of days and enjoy a mini-vacation.  However, we began to check the hotels and condo rentals on the Georgia coast and found the prices to be way too expensive. After all, we don't spend that much time in the hotel or vacation rental because we're outside photographing birds and nature.  That's why we take our vacation in the fall of the year - the prices basically drop 50% or more.  

Therefore, because we didn't want to "float a loan" to take a mini-vacation, we found a lovely Georgia state park about an hour away and decided to take a day trip.  We enjoyed a nice meal of grilled chicken at a moderately-priced restaurant next to a scenic pond with Canadian Geese. Then, we eagerly moved on to the state park to view the beauty of an old grist mill and the mesmerizing Cypress trees in a huge lake of coffee-colored water.  It was peaceful and beautiful, and we photographed some amazing nature scenes.

 

Northern Mockingbird at Thain Pond in Metter, Georgia

So, take this day to look at your situation, and then look all around you.  Is there something you've missed?  Could you be in a better situation than you perceive? Could the lack of funds actually turn into an opportunity to use your God-given creativity?  Never miss an opportunity to be resourceful and creative.  

Maybe the situation that you're in is actually a blessing in disguise.  As another old saying goes......"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"  

Bloom where you're planted! (Who said that?) 

 

1 Timothy 6: 6 - 10

(King James Version)

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

⁸ And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

⁹ But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

¹⁰ For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 

Copyright 2013, Norma W. Beaird.  All rights reserved.