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| Redheaded Pileated Woodpecker courtesy of Wikepedia |
Have you ever considered how wonderful it is that the Lord has given us beautiful birds of the air as a reminder of His many blessings? Most of us take birds for granted and even get irritated when their chirping wakes us up at the bust of dawn. But they wake up singing and rejoicing! They don't worry about the cares of this world--they don't worry about provision--there are no works they are required to do in order to be blessed by the Heavenly Father. If this is true (and it is, because Jesus said so), then we shouldn't worry! Easier said than done!
The Lord knows we need constant reminders of His goodness, grace, provision, and protection, and nature provides that in many ways, one being birds. Just three weeks ago, I was somewhat worried about provision, and I had a very vivid dream which I can still recall now in all its detail. Yes, God speaks to His children in dreams--it's in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Peter, in Acts 2:17, tells us that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was the fulfillment of prophecy from Joel 2:28: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Well, in this dream, I saw a line of beautiful, colorful birds sitting in a neat row on a tree right above my back deck, looking right at me. I remember distinctly there being a large brown bird in the middle with fluffy feathers, however the rest of the birds were very colorful. I remember pointing at a bird on the end and exclaiming, "Look at that redheaded woodpecker!" Then I woke up.
Now, that may not sound like much of a dream to you, but I sensed it was a message from the Lord, because I immediately thought of Matthew 6:26. I sensed those birds were communicating to me, saying, "Don't worry, see how we are fed and provided for? The Heavenly Father will provide for you too!" I was comforted by that dream but didn't think too much more about it--until today!
Our backyard is a haven for all sorts of birds. I just happened to be walking through the kitchen this afternoon and looked out the window to the back deck, and there on the deck railing (where the birds were in my dream), was the largest, most gigantic redheaded woodpecker I have ever seen! It hopped all along the rail for over a minute at least, and then flew away. When I looked it up on google, I discovered it is the Redheaded Pileated (meaning crest on head) Woodpecker.
Why is this important? Because I believe it was a reminder from the Lord that He has provided for me and will continue to provide for me exceedingly and abundantly above all I can ask or think. He didn't send just any regular redheaded woodpecker (that has no crest on its head) no, He sent me a gigantic, crested, red-crowned woodpecker--the king of woodpeckers. It is no coincidence that yesterday and today have resulted in wonderful manifestations for my husband and me in the area of provision.
Be encouraged! Your Heavenly Father knows your needs, wants, and desires (for He put them there!), and He will provide for every one of them, exceedingly, abundantly above all you can ask or think.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
