Caught Unaware

I saw it out of the corner of my eye. A shadow, then a large form flying down toward my birdfeeder. As I looked up from my writing, I realized a red-tailed hawk had captured one of the small birds peacefully eating at the birdfeeder. The poor bird, I think it was a tufted titmouse, and I were caught unaware. I sat and stared, dumbfounded as the scene unfolded with breathtaking speed.

First the bird had swooped down and captured a bird, with a second hawk flying to its right, I guess in case one of the other startled birds flew toward it. I was so mesmerized by what I saw I forgot to take a picture. It wasn’t until both birds had squabbled over the prey as they sat on a long tree limb that I remembered and focused on the hawk. White feathers floated down from the limb as the hawk attacked and killed the prey. The second bird flew away and the first one was left to tug at the small body on the limb. The only picture I was able to take, was one of the red-tailed hawks sitting on the tree limb after it had eaten.

How many times are we, like the small bird, and me, caught unaware? It made me realize I need to cherish each and every moment I have with my loved ones and my friends. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. We can only focus on today, seek God’s will in our lives, and give thanks that the Creator loved us so much he sent his only son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sin and provide a way for us to have better tomorrows, both here on earth and in heaven.

The Bible talks about how the day of the Lord will come suddenly in 2 Peter 3:10 (NIV). Revelation 22:7 (NIV) says, “Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Rev. 22:12 tells us. “And behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Just as the small bird was captured so quickly, I need to be sure I am ready for God’s call of which he reminds us, no one on earth or in heaven knows when it will be.  Will you be caught, like the small bird, unaware? Or will you put your trust in Jesus and be prepared.  I know I am.

A Tufted Titmouse takes flight.