“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7
The Sister in my local community, Joan, put up a bird feeder in our backyard to attract goldfinches. It’s a special bird feeder built to resist the thieving neighborhood squirrels who defy gravity in their quest for food.
Goldfinches are stunning, beautiful yellow birds that seem to travel in pairs. They are small and quick and attracted to this particular kind of seed that hangs from the metal pole about five feet high.
How is it that the goldfinches show up? I’m totally mystified by the fact that these birds – who I have never seen in our backyard before – show up because the seed is suddenly there. Who let them know that their special food is there for them? How did they know to come to our backyard? Is there an Internet for birds? Do they tweet? Do they post to an avian FaceBook?
You could say that Sr. Joan asked the goldfinches to come. Putting out the seed was an invitation to come – asking them to visit. She asked. They came.
Can I ask God? And will God come? In Matthew 7:7 Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” As much as I have always known this saying of Jesus, sometimes I would rather just do it myself and I forget to ask for God’s help.
What seed would you put out for God? And do you have faith enough to trust that God will come and answer your prayer? Some days I do and some days I don’t. But the bird feeder reminds me that all I need do is ask and then watch for God to appear. I remember to ask and God comes.
When you put out your seed and ask God, remember that the goldfinches came.
Thanks Anne for a wonder-filled reflection. It is amazing and awesome to wonder how birds find the food they need. Yet, we know the Providence of God cares for all His creatures and invites us to place our trust in His/Her loving care. I, too, so enjoy bird watching here in Oxford. Peace and love.
Thank you for your reflection! It reminds me that we are so cherished by God!
Thanks, Anne. I too found that the upside-down
feasting by the finches shows another way to
enjoy the gift.
Thanks Anne!! Cool image and I needed to hear this today!!
Thanks, Anne, for the wonderful image. It’s etched in my memory. And yes, I do believe goldfinches tweet!
These are good thoughts to remember when you’ve prayed but need to wait and trust the answer will come at the right time.
Hi Anne,
I enjoyed your reflection. Wonderful connection to the Goldfinches.
Thanks and Blessings.
Thank you Sister Anne. The right “seed ” to attract to attract God is
“Ask”.
I love birds,so when you talk about attracting them with just right “seed” and attracting God by putting out the right seed just “ask”.
Your right on, Anne. Thank you.
Thank you Anne. I enjoyed your blog about the goldfinches. They probably have their own way of tweeting.
Nice reflection.
Thanks, Anne., a good reminder. I have the feeder but have put nothing in it…I can read into that in relation to God.
Anne,
I love this Word. We also have attracted goldfinches and they are a reminder of God’s fidelity.
Thank you for placing this natural event in a spiritual
context easy for any one to appreciate.
Elaine s-c
Amen!