Lightkeeper's Journal

Faith, Frustration & Creativity

 

 Abstract Photography by Curtis Beaird 

Article by Norma Beaird 

 

There are times when the world will throw us a curveball. 

Sometimes, that light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.    

You thought that your ship had come in, but now it’s in dry dock.  

Once again, your dreams, hard work and big ideas are crushed like flies underneath a flyswatter.     

….and then the frustration begins…..and sometimes…..you realize, just one more time, that life is hard.    

Sometimes….. you’re just done. 

Stick a fork in it, you’re done.  

Sometimes, it seems that every idea, every creative burst of energy, every God-given talent is trampled by a force of negativity that refuses your forward movement, productivity or success. 

There are times when it seems that every act of generosity is crushed with a spirit of ungratefulness.  The more you give and the more you do, the more they ignore it, misuse it or disrespect it.   

There are days when no matter how hard you try, how much you push or how much you dream, you finally wake up to the nightmare of reality.  It isn’t working.  It can’t work.  Consequently, someone is always glad to tell you why it won’t work.  No matter what the motivational gurus say, the “no” is always more powerful than the “yes”. 

You may ask, “Why?”  Because the “no” has the power to stop you in your tracks. One more “no” can shut you down and render you helpless, discouraged and defeated.  The next “no” can be the reason you quit.  When you give into the power of “no”, your creative energy and bright ideas are drained from you like a Hollywood vampire drains his victims of their blood.  

 

 

For every blessing, for every good thought, for every possibility, there is a little demon hiding around the corner, excitedly awaiting to exchange blessing for curse, faith for fear and success for failure.  The demon is always there.  You can’t miss him. 

Just have a good idea and he shows up.  Produce a beautiful piece of work and watch what happens.  Do something nice for someone and here he comes, ready to shatter like glass that moment of gratitude or opportunity.  It’s like clockwork.  It’s a 24/7 struggle.   

You’re now in survival mode; however, your dreams are more than just dreams.  Your creativity is more than just creativity.  It is God’s way of demonstrating the fact that we are created in His image, in His likeness.  If we are creative, it’s because of Him.  If we have good ideas, it’s because of Him. 

If we demonstrate productivity and accomplishment, it’s because of Him.  If we have talent, it’s because of Him.  God gave us the brain power to figure things out and create.  God and creation go hand in hand.  God tells us in the very first chapter of the Bible.      

Genesis 1: 26 - 27 

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 

27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.   

The Old Testament was translated from Hebrew.  To further understand the idea of creation and creativity, we need to look at the original Hebrew word for “create”.  The Hebrew word is Bara’.     

Definition 

1. to create, shape, form
1. (Qal) to shape, fashion, create (always with God as subject)
1. of heaven and earth
2. of individual man
3. of new conditions and circumstances
4. of transformations
2. (Niphal) to be created
1. of heaven and earth
2. of birth
3. of something new
4. of miracles
3. (Piel)
1. to cut down
2. to cut out
2. to be fat
1. (Hiphil) to make yourselves fat 

So, as you can see, the idea of creation and creativity comes directly from God.  And, since evil opposes everything that is God, evil will obviously oppose your positive, God-given creativity.  Evil opposes your talents and generosity of spirit. 

Evil opposes everything that is holy and sacred to God.    

Therefore, it is important to saturate our spirits with the Word of God.  The negativity and foolishness of this world is sometimes more than we can handle, especially if it shows up in more than one serving per day. 

The spirit of this world wants us to fail.  God wants us to prevail.   

Our blessings come from God, but the world wants to strip us of our gratitude.  The world does not offer salvation. Jesus Christ gives us the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life.  The world cannot destroy the promises of God.  The world can hinder, persecute and disrespect you, but the world cannot steal your salvation, your joy, or even your talents and creativity.   

The world can certainly make it much more difficult to prosper and progress.  The world can certainly throw stumbling blocks in your path, but the onslaught of worldly difficulties cannot take away the spirit of creativity that God has given to you.  The world can discourage you and slow you down, but it cannot take away that which is ordained by God.    

The world can tell you “no”; but in the midst of rejection, God will make a way when there seems to be no way.  He is God.  Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent.  He was God yesterday and He will be God tomorrow. 

The power of “no” will never be more powerful than the hand of God. 

As long as we’re serving God, we can trust Him to lead us in the right direction.  We can trust Him to use our talents and creativity to bring glory and honor to Him and His Word. 

At the same time, we can also trust God to open doors that need to be opened and close doors that need to be closed.  My grandmother used to tell me, “Sometimes our disappointments are God’s appointments.”  Sometimes, and this may be difficult for us to digest, but a “no” may be exactly what we need.  Why?  Because God sees further down the road; consequently, He has better plans for us. 

God is omniscient.  He sees what we cannot see.  

 

Therefore, trust God.  Trust Him with your talents, ideas and creativity.  Always measure and question your ideas to see if they are consistent with the Word of God.  Use your talents to bring glory to God.  Stay focused.  Keep the faith.  Pray continually.  God will make a way when there seems to be no way to move forward or even succeed.   

Your creativity is a gift from our Creator, God. 

Every morning, God gives us new artwork in the sky, music from bird song; and, depending upon our location, the fragrance of pine trees, the color of bluebonnets or the sound of a babbling brook.  Each day, we may experience the chill of mountain air, a sunset in the desert or the salty mist of an ocean breeze.  We may experience the color of wheat, a fresh fallen snow, a shower of rain or a brilliant full moon.  God's handiwork of creation is all around us and in us.

Give thanks for His many blessings and trust in His divine guidance. 

Proverbs 3:5-6  

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths.   

 

 

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

 

Finding Beauty in Simplicity Inspires Creativity

  

Photography by Curtis and Norma Beaird

Article by Norma Beaird

 

Last week,  we awoke to a very cold morning, complete with miniature icicles on the trees.  Some trees had long lines of ice attached to the branches.  Living in Georgia, we don't experience ice and icicles on a regular basis, even in the cold winter time. However, an arctic blast seemed to make its way down South, bringing freezing temperatures and beautiful scenes.  

Water droplets delicately frozen in place, sparkling with reflections of light are absolutely spectacular.  We looked outside our window and walked outside.  Not only did the cold air awaken our physical senses, the miniature icicles awakened our sense of creativity.  We grabbed the cameras to take advantage of scenes that don't appear very often in our warm and humid climate.  

So many times, we miss the most incredible opportunities to enjoy the simple things in life, such as the simplicity of an icicle on a dormant tree.  It's as though God creates a piece of abstract art for us to behold.  We don't have to visit a museum or spend a lot of money to view an impressive piece of art.  Just take the time to walk outside during any season of the year.  

When you take the time to find the beauty in the simple things of life, many times it will recharge your creative batteries, giving you new and fresh ideas.  It will revitalize your senses and breathe life into a mundane project or a downtrodden spirit.   

Never take the simple things of life for granted.  Awaken your senses to all four seasons of the year.  Whether you are breathing in the air of spring or the frosty wind of winter, take notice of the changes in the trees and the grass.  Observe how differently the birds and animals behave.  

Study the changing colors, hear the sounds of rustling leaves, feel the warmth of the summer sun or the chill of an ocean breeze, and develop an appreciation for the splendor of creation.   God created a lovely world for you and me.  Allow your senses to be invigorated by the glory of nature.  Wake up and smell the flowers. Listen to the birds sing their songs.  Celebrate the raindrops on your face. Bask in the glow of a bright full moon.  Walk outside.  Enjoy the view.  

Give thanks unto the Lord.

 Genesis 8:22

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

 

Copyright 2013, 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.

Comfort Zone or Dead End?

Article by Norma W. Beaird

Photography by Curtis Beaird

 

Many times, we go through life doing what works.  Of course, this is the pragmatic way to live because there is no sense in taking a risk with Plan B when Plan A is working just fine.  However, there are days when Plan A becomes boring, stagnate and discouraging.  Sometimes Plan A zaps us of our creativity because nothing new or imaginative is expected.  Therefore, we wake up everyday to the same 'ole Plan A.  Why?  Because it works. 

However, what if Plan B worked a little better?  You never know if Plan B will work until you try it; on the other hand, Plan B requires change.  And, change is scary.  I thought about this article when I saw some of Curtis' latest "artsy" photographs.   For quite a while now, we have been photographing birds and nature, coastal scenes, rural landscapes and historic architecture.  We absolutely love to photograph these subjects because they are beautiful and very interesting. 

One morning though, when we woke up, we looked outside and saw that the birdbath was frozen over.  Instantly, Curtis decided to go outside in his pajamas, fleece jacket and a baseball cap and photograph the frozen ice on the birdbath.    The ice drop above was the result of that photography session.

Was this traditional?  No

Was it in keeping with our normal photography?  No

Was it fun and unexpected? .........Absolutely

That photograph of an ice drop completely energized us on that cold, winter morning.  From that point on, Curtis began to think about what he could try next with the ice on the birdbath.  The photo below demonstrates the intricasies of frozen water on the birdbath reflecting the sun. 

Sometimes, the things that may seem the silliest to others is actually an experiment in exercising our creative gene.  Sometimes, we need to step out of our comfort zone before we end up on a dead end street creatively and emotionally.

Change is never easy, but many times it is extremely rewarding 

......and even necessary.

From that day on, we begin to experiment with frozen water on clay pots.  Then, we bought some marbles, placed them in a clay pot, broke off a piece of frozen ice and placed it on top of the marbles.  In a few minutes, we had an example of contemporary, modern photography! 

Sometimes in our day to day routines, we need to break out of our comfort zones and just do something different, not necessarily something that makes money or takes a lot of time.  Every once in a while, we just need a few minutes of change.  These moments of change can actually be the catalyst to something you may want to seriously pursue in the future.  Who knows?  It may take your creativity to another level of possibility.  We could set ourselves free creatively if we understood that.......

Creativity produces freedom and freedom encourages creativity. 

You may find that the departure from the plain 'ole garden-variety project, job or design may benefit from a jolt of new and different, thereby serving to reinvigorate your sense of creativity or design.  Who knows?  It may make you a better artist, photographer, writer, designer, musician, chef, carpenter or speaker.  Sometimes, trying something new will accelerate your confidence level and take you into places you thought not possible.  So, every once in a while, be willing to exit out of your comfort zone and drive off the beaten path into a world of change.  

Your new idea could be a gift from God. 

Who knows where new roads may lead?

 

James 1:17 (King James Version)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

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

 

 

 

Finding Peace on Planet Crazy

 

Article and Photography by:  Norma W. Beaird

 

The picture above is how it feels.  We want the peace of that lighthouse......that beacon of hope.....that symbol of guidance........ and here comes the cargo ship full of stuff that we can't live without.   Here comes that load.....that responsibility........that heaviness.

We are represented by the fishing boats who must go out into the sea of life, to cast our nets, to weather the storms, and make the living......... to afford the stuff.......to lift the load.

It's overwhelming, exhausting and consuming.......can we find peace on planet crazy? 

 

Romans 8: 5 - 6

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

 

Being busy and being productive can reside at opposite ends of the scale.    Sometimes, having more means having less.  Rest and spiritual renewal are worth their weight in gold.  We cannot alleviate our need for peace and contentment. 

I want to share seven thoughts, ideas and motivations that can lead us to a more peaceful existence.

1.  Don’t live beyond your means.  Don’t go into debt for things that will be in the landfill next year.  We were created in the image of God, not the Mall of America.

Be happy with what you have and learn to be creative with less.  It’s not as difficult as is sounds. After all, you’ll be tired of it in two months, but you’ll still be paying interest on it.  Don’t fall into the advertising trap. 

Learn to ask, “Do I really need that and will I actually use it or wear it?”

If you can't afford the big house, the designer sports car, the bass boat or the latest iPhone, be thankful.  Celebrate the fact that your friends won’t be jealous (a little humor here).  Owning less doesn't make you any less of a person.  Ownership equals responsibility.  Ownership equals upkeep.  Someone has to pay the taxes, utilities and insurance.  Someone has to mow the lawn. 

Plus, the debt for high-ticket items creates a financial, emotional and mental prison that can affect every aspect of your life in a very negative way.  Debt and stress will actually affect your family relationships and spiritual life.  Don’t let your wants overrule your needs.  Give yourself some financial breathing room.  Money doesn’t buy happiness…….neither does a maxed out credit card. 

Love and family makes a house a home, not granite countertops.      

The void we have is a spiritual void, not a physical void.  Material things cannot replace a spiritual need. We must turn to Jesus Christ for true peace and contentment.  We are spiritual beings.  We were created in the image of God.

Stop tweeting for five minutes........embrace your family and tell them you love them.  Cherish your true friends.  Learn to appreciate the things that are really important, not the things that rust, break down, end up in the dumpster or eventually fall apart.  

What is more important.......your health or a garage full of stuff?  Think about the time we spend during the course of our lifetime just hauling and moving stuff from one place to another.  We buy it, get tired of it, yard sale it, donate it to charity……and start the cycle all over again.  Fun….isn’t it?  You spent your Saturday having a yard sale when you could have been playing with the kids, hiking through the woods or grilling hamburgers on the patio. 

Sometimes, Curtis and I find writers and bloggers who serve as an inspiration.  There is a website called Zen Habits that confronts the problem with materialism and clutter.  The writer of the blog, Leo Babauta, has an incredible perspective on stuff.  He promotes the minimalist lifestyle in such a way that will truly make a person think twice about what is important when it comes to the things we buy and hoard on a daily basis.  His emphasis:  Less is truly more.   

2.    Learn to exercise your creativity by using your talents, gifts and abilities.   Be willing to explore your interests and hobbies.  Put your energy into developing the talents that God gave to you.  Don't spend your precious energy trying to keep up with a culture that is desperately trying to empty your wallet.  God gave everyone talents, ideas and abilities to be used for His glory. 

Who knows?  Your talent or ability may be the catalyst to a business that could free you from the job that is driving you crazy.   You can turn a hobby into a business.  Get creative.  Explore. 

3.  Stop comparing yourself to those who seem to be in a better situation than you.  Just because they seem to be successful, have more money or live in a bigger house, doesn’t mean they have a Swiss bank account or an investment in the Cayman Islands.  They may be head-over-heels in debt. 

Perception and reality can lie at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Don’t compare your style of dress, education or career with your friends, co-workers or next-door neighbors.  Everyone is different and unique in their own special way.  Celebrate the fact that God made you unique.  Everyone has different talents, abilities and educational pursuits.  People are mentally and emotionally wired for different jobs and careers.   What may work for your friend or neighbor may not work for you. 

The world wouldn’t work if everyone was alike. 

Everyone is physically different.  People have different tastes in clothing.  There is nothing more destructive to your psychology than trying to compare yourself to someone else.  Learn to appreciate the uniqueness of your individuality and capitalize on your strengths and downplay your weaknesses. 

4.  Explore the natural things that fascinate and amaze you.  Learn to enjoy the beauty of nature.  Experiment with gardening.   Hang up a few bird feeders in your yard and watch the different species of birds land on your feeder. 

Plant some flowers or hang some ferns on the front porch or back deck.   Take a walk through the park or the woods.   Take a drive through the countryside.  Take pictures of a cotton field, a valley or the coastline.  Notice the smell of rain before a storm.  Don’t be ruled by neon lights, social media and the latest gadget.   Don't allow the artificial to overwhelm the natural.  Walk outside and breathe. 

The Tufted Titmouse on one of our bird feeders

5.   Learn to laugh.  Learn to laugh at yourself.  A sense of humor can get you through some really difficult times.  Laughter is truly a gift from God.  The Bible says that "a merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Proverbs 17:22) 

Stop being so serious about everything.  Let your hair down and laugh.  Find the humor all around you.  Watch a light-hearted, funny movie.  For our laughs, we take pictures of funny signs and sometimes post them on our photography site. 

We live in an unstable world, constantly dealing with serious issues.   But........24/7 doom and gloom will have a very negative impact on your mind.  Emotional stress can lead to physical problems.  There are times when our minds need a rest from all of the constant bad news, crime reports and political propaganda. 

6.  Have faith in God.   This is the most important.   If you are a Christian, you read in the Bible that “without faith, it is impossible to please Him"(Hebrews 11:6).   Life is hard.  Living without faith is harder.  Yes, it’s a supernatural experience to trust that God will answer prayer when you don’t see anything physically transpiring.  But, that’s the joy and satisfaction of learning to trust, wait and be content. 

Knowing that you’re not alone on life’s journey will help you to take life one day at a time.  It will increase your faith.  The answer will come. 

God may not be early.  He’s never late.  But, He's always on time.

7.  Don’t over-commit yourself.......to meetings, schedules, games, appointments, committees or even good deeds.  After all, you’re only one person.  Yes, we all want to feel productive; and, if we’re living the Christian life, we obviously want to be community-oriented.  We want minister to those around us.  We want to press on.   

We want to keep the kids busy.  We've all heard the old saying, "An idol mind is the devil's workshop".  However, in an attempt to discourage laziness or temptations, don’t engage your family in too many activities, especially if they never have time to sit down and rest. 

Don’t fill up their calendar every night of the week.  Children need to rest and study for school.  Husbands, wives and grandparents need to rest and meditate upon the Lord.  Even church activities other than services can turn into a tiresome experience if you never take time to rest and renew your spirit.  There is definitely such a thing called burnout. 

There are 24 hours in day.  About eight hours are reserved for sleep.  A few hours are reserved for meals, showers and going to the grocery store.  About a third of the hours are reserved for work and career or managing a business or ministry.  

Keep your life in perspective.

Currently, our culture demands 24/7 busy-ness and 24/7 entertainment.  Many husbands and wives pass each other in the driveway.  Sometimes, a family can live in the same house and rarely see each other. 

On top of this, social media demands that we report our activities with location, date and time.    Keep up the stressful pace and you’ll finally have another appointment on your calendar….. with the doctor. 

Never neglect your spouse or your family.  If the entire family is non-stop busy, you never have time to listen to each other’s needs, hopes and dreams.  Why?  Because you have to be somewhere in five minutes.  Learn to say “No”.  Most importantly, don't neglect your time with God. 

Your time with God will give you peace on planet crazy. 

Keep it in order…….God, family…..and everything else.

It's your decision, though.  

 

Copyright 2012, Norma W. Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

 

Why We Became Bird Watchers

Article By:  Norma W. Beaird

Photography By:  Curtis and Norma Beaird

 

Genesis 1:21

 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

 

For years, when I heard about bird watchers, I always envisioned a professor wearing a khaki photographer's vest with a matching safari hat.  He would be holding a pair of expensive binoculars while standing in the middle of a wildlife preserve.  In my mind, I would picture him on an exotic safari, gazing at the many colorful bird species or lobbying for the protection of a rare bird through environmental causes.  Consequently, we have learned that bird watching is an intensely exciting adventure for people from all backgrounds and all walks of life, something enjoyed by college students, professors, environmentalists, photographers, housewives and grandmothers!

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the leading authority on the study of birds in the United States.  On Facebook, they announced a fun event called The Great Backyard Bird Count.  This event got us started and off to Lowe's we went for a bird feeder!  One Backyard Bird Count and we were hooked.  My only regret?  I wish I would have started watching birds years ago.  This has brought a sense of peace, joy and excitement that has fired me up spiritually, emotionally and mentally.  I have been utterly fascinated by the many different species that I never realized existed.....until now.  God has truly created a beautiful, colorful and fascinating world!

I have always admired the beautiful exotic birds, such as Parrots, Parakeets, Cockatoos and Scarlet Macaws, but for years, I didn’t give much thought to the many species of birds that surround us every single day.  Like most folks, I was busy with college, work or various family responsibilities.  One fond memory that I always had as a child was sitting on the front porch with my grandmother and listening as ‘Ole Bob White whistled his loud and cheerful bird song in the woods across the street.  This sweet memory leads me into a heart-warming story about my grandmother. 

Before I was born, my grandmother had a parakeet that she dearly loved named Billy.  He would sit in his cage while she was cooking dinner or supper (in the South, lunch is dinner and dinner is supper), and she would teach him to talk.  “Billy is a pretty boy!”  “I love you!” or “Give me some sugar, darling!”  My grandmother became attached to Billy as he became a very entertaining member of the household. 

On one particular occasion, my grandmother went into the hospital for surgery and was hospitalized for a week.  During her hospitalization, my mother said that Billy completely stopped talking.  It was as though he went into a depression because my grandmother wasn’t there.  The day that she came home from the hospital, my mother said that Billy looked at her and checked her out from top to bottom, and the next day at breakfast, he would not hush.  Talk, talk, and then talk some more.  He was so happy to see my grandmother.  It was so special that a precious little parakeet had such an affection for my grandmother.  After Billy died, my grandmother didn’t seek to have another bird because she became so attached to him, and it is so sad when the beautiful creatures you adore pass on to bird heaven. 

So, now that there is a bit of history, why do Curtis and I have a fascination with birds?  Well, it’s actually a long story, but then again, we can sum it up in several paragraphs, to include the life lessons that are learned through years of experience, decision-making, introspection and observation.  Hopefully, as time moves on, we gain a little wisdom and clarity, realizing the spiritual need for peace and contentment in our fast-paced modern culture. 

When we are all younger, we think that the only way to “make it” or “succeed” is to go ninety-to-nothing, blowing and going, meeting and greeting, shaping up or shipping out.  We have to network and nitpick, upsize and modernize, friend and trend, look the part, act the part and keep up with the Joneses.  It’s never enough to be ourselves; we must be what the culture demands we should be. 

We work and work and spend and spend, saving nothing emotionally or spiritually for the future.  We store and hoard, pay room and board, stipulate and congregate, prioritize and monetize; and finally, when it’s all said and done, we burn out the candle on both ends. 

We become tired, empty, discouraged, and a shell of what God created us to be. 

We may have the distinguished career, the office with a view, the perks of upper management or the nicely-manicured home; however, if we have high blood pressure and plaque in the arteries, was it really worth it?  Emotionally and financially, our culture is stressed to the max and the ever-busy worker bees come home every evening to eat, sleep, shower and start the tiresome process all over again.  Rest has become a four-lettered word.   In our restless, non-stop, activity-laden culture, there is little time left to enjoy the awe-inspiring gift of God's creation. 

People rarely take time to smell the roses, watch a sunset, or......feed the birds.

 

Stories like these can go on forever.  But, you get the point.  We make life more difficult than it needs to be.  The Bible says in Philippians 4:19, "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  However, in most cases, our wants overrule our needs and our desires overrule our better judgment.  Thus, we end up with a lot of stuff and a nice facade, but little peace or happiness.  Why?  Because working constantly to attain more stuff leads to utter exhaustion and the need to insure it, store it or repair it.  Sometimes we fix it, sell it or trade it, and then start the cycle all over again.

For example, when people acquire the objects of their wildest dreams, they never really learn to appreciate them.  The object or thing....... the home, the car, the boat, the jewelry or even the achievement will become another notch on the belt of accomplishments and acquisitions.   It seems that nothing can be treasured, cherished or admired.  It is calculated, measured and stacked.  An oil painting or a unique piece of jewelry is not viewed as a work of art, but rather another material object to be checked off of the list that's entitled, "I Couldn't Live Without It".   It's no surprise that this attitude devalues the object's personal meaning.  People want it.......but do they really appreciate the creativity, talent, technical expertise or artistic ability that went into the acquisition on their list?

Inevitably, spiritual discontentment brings people to their knees.  After folks graduate from the school of hard knocks with a Bachelors Degree in Stress and a Minor in Exhaustion, they step back, re-examine their priorities and start searching for a better life.  This is not a life that includes more titles, more money or more stuff, but a life that includes an appreciation for what God set in place for us…… absolutely free of charge.  This includes the gift of His salvation, the breath of life, the love of family, the beauty of nature, the joy of contentment, and the birds.   Peace....... without a price tag. 

 Philippians 4: 5 – 8 says it best:

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

When we read these verses of scripture, it we take heed of verse 8 especially, we will understand that many of the worldly things that we seek do not fall into “whatsoever things are pure, lovely or of good report”. 

Why? 

Because the things that most people seek are temporal, not eternal.  Material possessions will rust or fall into disrepair.  They will pass away.  

 

The spiritual always supercedes the physical.

Remember these words of Jesus?   

Matthew 6: 19 - 21

¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 

²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

So, even if we lay up vast and immense treasures upon the earth, when it’s all said and done, what have we really accomplished?   Have we acquired or have we made a difference?  It’s not about the grind of success or the accumulation of material possessions.  Real living is about serving the Lord, loving our families, helping our neighbors and taking care of this lovely earth that God has entrusted into our care. 

How many times have you heard about a dying man or woman lying on their deathbed and lamenting, “I wish I would have made more money,” or “I wish I could have had a bigger house.”  Most people wish they would have spent more time with family and had appreciated the relationships and beauty that God has placed all around us. 

Therefore, we have learned to appreciate the excitement and gratitude of a little bird as he lands on our feeder, inspecting every seed to be delivered to the nest.  There’s nothing like it.  The world may never learn to say “thank you” for your hard work or achievement.  Your material possessions may never bring you peace; but, all of this is suddenly forgotten when you see that the little American Goldfinch at your thistle feeder has brought three more to partake of your offering.  That may seem miniscule to most, but it means a lot to folks who finally figured it out.  Life is best enjoyed through the truth of God’s Word and the beauty of His creation, not through the conventional results of worldly pursuits.

Another positive aspect of bird watching is that it requires the bird watcher to be still and quiet.  How many times do people take the time to be still and quiet, to watch and wait?  When we photograph an inspiring picture of a Blue Jay in flight with a peanut in his beak, we realize that the time and silence required to capture the moment was absolutely worth it.  Sometimes, silence is truly golden! 

Sometimes......opportunities in life work and sometimes they don't.  My grandmother always said, “Sometimes life’s disappointments are God’s appointments.”  I have found out that she was right.  Life is full of ups and downs, laughter and tears, celebrations and disappointments.  Sometimes, our earthly journey brings us to a place that requires us to look at life through a different set of spiritual glasses.  The things that we once thought were so important were mere blips on the radar screen of life, as we were on our way to living a life infused with the fruits of the Spirit. 

Galations 5: 22 - 23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Things don't always turn out as planned; sometimes they actually turn out better.  Sometimes we learn to be still and pray, meditating upon the goodness of the Lord and knowing that God has it all under control.  Sometimes, we learn to rest and be at peace.

Today, we appreciate God's blessings all around us, finding inspiration and contentment in the beauty and wonder of nature.  ........and that's why we became bird watchers!  

 

 

All scripture is King James Version

Copyright 2012, Curtis and Norma Beaird.  All rights reserved. 

 

 

 

 

Waiting for the Turkeys to Cross the Road

 

Article By:  Norma W. Beaird

Photography By:  Curtis Beaird

 

A little over six years ago, I moved to a rural area in Georgia to work at the local college.  I had never lived in a town this small, and for me, it was quite a culture shock.  At first, it was a fascination because I drove to work down a long country road as opposed to a dangerous and traffic-laden interstate.  Instead of stopping at traffic lights, I actually stopped for a family of turkeys to cross the road.  At night, instead of being overwhelmed by city lights and sirens, I was overwhelmed by the number of deer attempting to leap in front of my car.    

In the mornings, I would awake to a serene quietness that you never find in the city.  Instead of horns and screeching brakes, I would hear chirping birds, whistling trees and the irritated geese that lived across the street.  However, the fascination soon wore off and I realized that I was living in “the middle of nowhere”.  Some people call it the “sticks” or the “boonies”, but I called it slow and uninspiring.  My newfound world suddenly turned into something that seemed boring, backwards and remote.  Thus, the complaining began.  I thought I was surely missing out on something.  Then, I thought I had lost something.  Later on, I finally realized that I had lost nothing, but had gained something much more valuable called peace, quiet and renewed faith.

In the past, I was always considered a social butterfly who never met a stranger, and I always enjoyed having a lot of places to go and see.  Having owned a travel business, I enjoyed being on the go.  I appreciated options, and that meant having a wide variety of restaurants, gas stations, malls and discount outlets within a five-mile radius.  Convenience and entertainment always meant a lot to me, until now. 

Sometimes life steps in and changes things.  After my husband recovered from cancer, a heart attack and then a serious retina surgery, the recovery time forced us both back into an appreciation for the simple and quiet things of life.  Healing takes time and requires peace and quiet.  Later on, after I went through a surgery and recovery time, I found myself yearning less for action and yearning more for tranquility.  This slow way of life was now agreeing with me.  Trust me; it’s easier to recuperate when you’re not living a fast-paced life under stress while listening to sirens and loud neighbors.

Unlike the modern culture of “bigger is better”, we live in a country cottage and we are approximately ninety minutes from the nearest mall.  We’re about thirty minutes from a department store, but that’s okay.  Not having immediate access to materialistic pleasures has taught me something about life that should be evident to most human beings, but as usual, we have to learn the valuable lessons the hard way.  Life is best enjoyed when a person is not overwhelmed with noise and stuff.  If I want or need something, I may have to drive a while to find it, or order it online.  But again, that’s okay, because living in the country teaches a person to have patience while calming a restless spirit.   

Constant stimulation with no rest leaves very little room for creativity, imagination and logical thought process.  In the Old Testament, we read in the book of Genesis that the Lord rested on the seventh day.  If the Lord found it important to rest, and we’re created in His image, then we need to rest as well.  It’s okay to stay home sometimes and not attend every game, every meeting and every concert.  It’s okay to take a vacation or sit on the front porch.  Sometimes it’s okay to say “No”.   It’s easier to heal when your calendar is not full. 

My husband and I love to go to the city, but we’ve been in the country long enough that the city noise now drives us bonkers.  Driving in city traffic feels like a punishment for something we didn’t do.  Being pushed through large crowds reminds me of being herded like cattle.  It’s amazing what living the simple life can do for you.  Consequently, you don’t realize how much you enjoy simplicity until you’re thrust into the middle of chaos.

A life of simplicity has affected other areas as well.  We don’t own a microwave oven.  My husband and I have collected old-fashioned cast iron cookware.  One of my greatest joys in the kitchen is frying an egg on a round cast iron skillet, and, I must admit that butter-coated wheat bread tastes the best when heated on the same skillet where you fried the egg.   I love to fry an egg and make toast for him and take it out to the front porch.  He eats breakfast while watching Henry, our front porch lizard, crawl in and out of the Boston Ferns.  Yes, something has definitely happened to us.  And no, we didn’t lose our minds; we reclaimed our sanity.  We traded stress for peace.  We have learned that being busy and being productive can reside at opposite ends of the spectrum. 

Simplicity is completely underrated.  Sometimes, life brings us to a place where we are forced to reckon with what is really important.  We realize that more is not always satisfying or even better.  Sometimes, we realize that less is more and that more stuff just means more debt and more responsibility.  In the end, it all goes to a yard sale or a landfill.  Sometimes, the best things in life are truly free and they don’t require a storage unit.  God will never send us a bill for viewing a gorgeous sunset, a butterfly or a red-headed woodpecker.  The Lord won’t charge us for peace and tranquility.  Our Creator provided a world of beauty that can’t be bought with silver or gold.  You can’t put a price on love, hope, family or nature.   Learn to enjoy the priceless things in life without a price tag.  Take back what the culture stole from you and learn to enjoy the simple life.  Sometimes we need to wait for the turkeys to cross the road.      

 

Copyright 2011, Norma W. Beaird.  All rights reserved.