Bird Struck! Whippoorwill

Family Devotional

Day Thirty-One

“I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered me.” Psalm 120:1

The elusive whippoorwill is named for its call. It is frequently heard at dawn and at dusk when it feeds, but is almost never seen. Its characteristics and habits are mostly known from anecdotes told to ornithologists.

In general only trained and observant bird listeners can tell the differences in many bird notes. However anyone who hears a whip—poor—will can identify it immediately. It’s fun to repeat its call too.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).

Sometimes our own thoughts and the opinions of others jumble up in our mind and they become just a bunch of noise to us.

Just as Jesus said that the world would know His voice, He also promised to give us insight and guidance when we need it.

Sometimes our answers come from reading, or a surprising idea jumps out clearly, or we remember some encouragement from a conversation. But we know it is clear and sharp and we immediately recognize its “call.” There are many ways that Jesus helps us to know what to do when we are confused. When He gives guidance, we can recognize His voice even though we can’t see Him.

Action

1. Every day this week when you need guidance, pause for a few moments and ask God to give you guidance.

2. Spend one hour listening to voices around you. How can you tell what their attitude is based on the sound of their voice?

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Psalm 86:5-7

Psalm 116:1-2

Jeremiah 33:3

Bird Struck! Masked Booby

Family Devotional

Day Thirty

“Instead, be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

These dazzling birds live and breed in tropical climates. Except for breeding time they spend all their time at sea. To feed they make high-velocity dives from as high as 100 feet.

Sailors gave these birds their insulting name because they considered the birds to be stupid due to their lack of fear around humans.

But these birds had no reason to experience fear from humans until they met the sailors.

When the early church began their witness of love and caring to each other and to their community, many onlookers spoke of them with derogatory names. Some thought of them as harmless fools, and some thought of them as radicals that required imprisonment or death.

Even in our world today, many people still view acts of kindness and compassion with distrust. And although it is necessary to use common sense when encountering strangers, it doesn’t mean people cannot trust others, especially if they meet in safe environments.

It really wasn’t the masked booby that had the problem to trust, but the sailors who allowed their own fears to mistrust innocence.

When we follow Jesus’ ways, often others don’t understand and they say bad things or call out embarrassing names.

Action

1. Say something kind to as many people as you can today. Was it hard to do? Why?

2. Do one act of kindness for one person every day this week.

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Matthew 25:40

Galatians 6:10

Philippians 2:3-5

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Bird Struck! California Condor

Family Devotional

Day Twenty-Nine

“For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:5

The California Condor is the largest soaring bird in North America. Despite their size, these giant birds fly in a steady pattern of flight unlike other vultures that tend to appear wobbly.

Their steadiness extends to their habits as well. They are monogamous and stay with their mates for life. It takes sixty days for an egg to incubate and up to a year before a young condor can survive on its own. Both parents remain faithful in the process.

In the 1800s this species existed all throughout the West as far north as Alberta, Canada, and as far south as Baja, Mexico. But like many other species that were once abundant, they were reduced almost to extinction.

In Jesus’ time there were certain occupations that were also considered “unclean” and their workers had to live apart from the community. A tanner fell into this category. Peter himself stayed as a guest in a tanner’s home showing that these people were just as acceptable to God as anyone else.

It was there that Peter had a vision that helped him realize that God also loved the Gentiles too, even though they were considered “unclean” like the tanners.           

Action

1. Some jobs are hard to do because they feel disgusting. What chores do you think are the hardest to do? Offer to help someone in your family do them so you can both finish faster.

2. Be extra nice to people at your school or in your neighborhood who are willing to do the yucky jobs. Say thank you.

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Matthew 7:12

Matthew 15:10-11

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Bird Struck! Skimmer

Family Devotional

Day Twenty-Eight

“He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3 (NAS)

A skimmer catches its food through its unique bill which cuts into the water with its lower bill, catches its prey, then the upper bill snaps shut. It is so precise that as they skim over the water their bodies rarely get wet. However, their most interesting characteristic is that their lower bills grow twice as fast as the upper bill. They have a built-in replacement warranty on the friction of wear and tear.

Peter protested at first when Jesus knelt to wash his feet. Then he immediately asked for more when Jesus told him, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” But Jesus also explained, “One who has bathed does not need to wash except for the feet, but is entirely clean.”

Just like our feet get dusty when we go barefoot in the summer, so can we get discouraged when we see bad things happening in the world. Yet Jesus restores us every day when we stay close to Him. When parts of our hearts get rubbed with dirt because of friction with people and hard circumstances, the psalmist promises, “He restores my soul.”

Some days we face difficult choices and tough obstacles, but they all can be only outside struggles that don’t harm our hearts when we trust Jesus to take care of us.

Action

1. Sometimes we need to “wash” away bad attitudes towards others. Watch what words you think for a few days this week that would be mean or hurt someone if you said them out loud.

2. Think of ways you can change your attitude without agreeing with ideas that are wrong.

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Psalm 23

Matthew 11:28-30

John 13:5-11

Bird Struck! Swan

Family Devotional

Day Twenty-Seven

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” Ephesians 5:1

There are swan legends and stories spread throughout almost all cultures. At the heart of most of them is a tale of transformation. A good one is when the ugly duckling turns into a beautiful swan. A sad one is when a power-hungry queen changes her six stepsons into swans.

It was thought for centuries that all swans were only white. So much so that the term black swan became a symbol for the impossible. Then when a real black swan was discovered in Australia, it was a huge surprise!

A scientific term for the difference has been coined Black Swan Theory. The concept is based on the foundation that important differences happened historically and were unexpected.

Jesus prays for all His disciples to be in the world but not of the world. This concept is difficult to understand. It seems impossible. Yet that is just how Jesus lived.

He kept His heart and His values based on what mattered to God and what was true to His words.

He didn’t follow the religious leaders’ worldly definitions of possibilities, but looked to do God’s creative power instead. No matter how unexpected the action would be.

All swans have one interesting characteristic in common. A swan’s feathers do not get wet although it swims in the water. They have a special natural oil that keeps them dry.

Jesus also prayed for the Holy Spirit to cover His disciples. By his oil of presence we can learn to be in the world without getting wet.

Action

1.What are some of the world’s attitudes that are different from God’s love?

2.How can you choose to walk away from a conversation or situation that you know is not right?

3.What good attitudes can you imitate this week?

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Matthew 5:13-16

Matthew 16:24

John 15:18-19

Bird Struck! Roadrunner

Family Devotional

Day Twenty-Six

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses.” Deuteronomy 30:19

The roadrunner is a type of cuckoo bird. Although they have the ability to fly, they prefer to run. They can reach speeds of up to fifteen miles per hour.

In Mexico they are often called paisano because they are easy to train. They fiercely attack snakes and are a good protection.

Like other cuckoos they have zygodactyl feet, which means there is no way of knowing by their tracks in which direction they are going.

One time Jesus told His disciples that if they were invited to a banquet they should sit at the lowest place instead of seeking the place of honor. He told them to let the host choose if they were to be moved up.

Another time Jesus told a story encouraging them not to pray as the Pharisees. They prayed loudly and publicly for show so everyone could see them. Jesus said instead pray quietly in private with God.

Whenever Jesus talked about God’s kingdom, He turned over everyone’s expectations of what it would be like. Having ability, or power, or a special position, was not the important characteristic. Heart attitude mattered more.

His disciple John the Baptist said about Jesus, “I must decrease. He must increase.”

Jesus’ ways turned the world’s ways upside down.

A roadrunner can fly but chooses to run. We too can choose to do the unexpected if God asks us to. We can choose to return hate with love and anger with peace.

Action

1. What are some situations at school where you have to make choices on how to act? How do you make good choices even when others jeer at you, including your friends?

2. Choose to sit in a different place than usual at lunch break. What do you notice that is different?

3. Next time someone says something mean to you, say something nice back to him.

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Deuteronomy 30:15-18

Amos 5:14-15

Luke 14:15-24

Matthew 6:5-6

Bird Struck! Puffin

Family Devotional

Day Twenty-Five

“He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136:25

Have you ever seen a puffin run on water? They almost look like circus clowns with oversized feet and large noses stumbling about in funny situations.

However the puffin is an expert fisher. They can dive as deep as thirty feet and can stay under water as long as a minute if they need to. Usually though, their dives last 20 to 30 seconds. They know how to find the food they need to survive. They will go as deep as possible to get it.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Often we are in situations that make us feel as clumsy as a puffin. Or there are people around us who make fun of us because of the way we look or talk.

But when we read our Scripture verses and pray, we find a special kind of food just for us. It’s a special relationship with Jesus that helps us to see what is important and what is not.

When we have this light, we know just where to find the right words or the right attitudes to give us strength. We can be patient when we are learning new skills that make us feel awkward at first.

The deeper we dive into understanding God’s words, the more filled up we are. We have fuel to keep us from getting discouraged or upset.

Action

1. Do you remember playing dress-up when you were little and wore clothes that were too big for you? Did you clomp around in oversized shoes? What might you be trying to learn to do now that makes you feel like that?

2. Learning to do new things can make us feel awkward. Write down some Bible verses to encourage you or a friend who is struggling with learning a new skill.

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Psalm 36:6-9

Luke 12:24