Janet Pierce's Writing Cafe

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.

Co-existence at the Birdfeeder

It’s cold outside as the birds line up to get food at one of my birdfeeders. First the tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees jumped up to snatch some food. Then the cardinals came. Even a red-bellied woodpecker stopped to grab a few seeds to eat. But there was one thing they all did. They kept a wary lookout for the trio of blue jays. Once those three come, there isn’t a lot of food left. One blue jay in particular is sloppy, shooting seeds off the tray to the planters, the bench and ground below. At first this bothered me. What a waste!

Then the red-bellied woodpecker and two mourning doves swooped in and perched on the planters and bench, picking up the seeds that had fallen. They cleaned up the fallen seeds in no time.

Later the woodpecker ventured onto the tray. This time, when a blue jay came, it kept its distance and waited. A rare sight indeed. I don’t think it was the size of the bird, but it may have been the long sharp pointed beak on the woodpecker. Once the woodpecker left, the blue jay hopped up and ate.

The waiting and coexistence at the birdfeeder made me wonder why humans can’t coexist in peace too. There is so much turmoil in the world right now. In contrast, Psalm 133:1 encourages us to seek peace and to live in unity. Romans 14:13 says, “Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”

My prayer this holiday season is that God would touch the hearts of all mankind to help us realize the need for peace. We have much to be thankful for, let us begin by praising Him and showing kindness to others.

Healing and Writing from Summer to Fall

It’s been a long time since I’ve sat down and posted anything. This blue jay looks like he’s been waiting for me for a long time. Here’s why: The end of July- July 29th to be exact- my world came crashing down. Literally. Leaving a party with friends, I slipped on a step and broke all the bones in my left ankle, as well as fractured my tibia and fibula. Talk about pain! Two surgeries later, and a week in the hospital left me living between pain pills, sleep and times to use the bathroom. The month of August was a blur. Friends helped my husband by bringing food since I was mostly bedridden.

“Oh, now you can spend your time reading and working on your novel. ”

Nope.

The first month my brain and body was focused on healing. In September, I could move around more. I watched TV and the birds at my birdfeeder.

By the end of September, I felt like my brain and my body was swimming to the surface after living in the depths of a murky sea. I pictured God reaching down to me and pulling me to the surface.

In October I could finally THINK and WRITE. I started small- reading novels and writing book reviews. By the end of October, along with physical therapy I started back writing my excerpts for my Observations at the Birdfeeder, then rewriting chapters for my novel, Jonathan’s Winter in my historical Family saga.

Now it is November 10th and I’m finally sitting down to write this blog. I’ve also been able to take care of the birdfeeder myself. The last three months the birds have faced times when the feeder is full and when it is empty. Feast or famine. Just like my writing times. I’ve been writing in spurts. But that’s alright, I think.

I hope everyone had a great summer and fall. My husband took me for rides in the park when I couldn’t go hiking in the park. The trees and leaves were brilliant crimson, and orange. Balm for the soul.

What have you been doing lately? How do you relate to living life in spurts? If you are a creative, how do you fit your projects into your life?

From My Window

I’d just finished breakfast and was sipping coffee when I spied a mourning dove perched on the hook holding the birdfeeder. A wave of thankfulness at its appearance swept over my soul, bringing unexpected tears to my eyes. “Hi friend,” my heart seemed to say.

Having just returned from a writer’s conference with its early hours, (I’m NOT an early morning person and it’s 10 am now as I write this), walking to and from classes and buildings, I relished these moments of familiarity and simplicity. Fuel for my soul.

It’s a cloudy day and rain is forecast. I have a busy day ahead of me, grocery shopping and helping a friend. But this moment alone, is for me and God. May he refresh my soul and guide me through the day. I pray I can see and cherish simple moments like these.

What refreshes your soul? Do you recognize those quiet moments when they happen?

Rain with a Side of Praise

Drenched, squelched, wrung out to dry-

In my heart and mind, I just want to cry.

I look out at soggy rain-spattered ground-

Seeking solace but none is found.

Just for a moment I lift up my eyes-

Seeking God’s will amidst heavy sighs.

Birds at my feeder come and they go-

Bright spots of color above and below.

May my heart spring anew with bounteous praise-

May your words flow through me the rest of my days.

I felt the Presence of God today

I felt the presence of God today,
and I was humbled.
To see love and sorrow
in faces teaming around me
a chance visit to a friend whose family sees no barriers
to caring for one who is dying.
Amidst the bustle, hustle and confusion
of a crowded place…
I felt the presence of God today
and I was humbled.
To see acts of giving and loving
For one so unfortunate to lay there dying,
someone so fortunate to be rich in friends and caring.
A hospital bed crowded amidst furniture, set near a window
with old and young gathered around
a last chance to visit and care.
I felt the presence of God today
and I was humbled.
From ones so needy in the eyes of the world
yet so giving of place, space and selves
it boggles my mind at times.
World views opposite Christ views,
real examples of Christ’s love in action.
Celebrating a birthday early
not knowing what or if there will be a tomorrow. Yet-
I felt the presence of God today
and I was humbled.

What Happened at the Birdfeeder?

We’d had some gray and windy days, but nothing prepared me for the sight awaiting me one morning. As I began my breakfast, I saw my birdfeeder was missing 4 of the 6 perches at the openings. They lay scattered on the ground and the birdfeeder was empty! One perch had been pecked off before, but not 4. In addition, the bottom was tilting, as if it would fall off.

I looked at the ground. Where were the piles of birdseeds that would have poured out? Nothing. Since we’d gotten a new, higher fence it didn’t seem likely deer would have jumped over this nine-foot one. The gates were secure as well. What had happened?

I went outside to look. As I walked around the yard I saw patches of feathers lying in clumps in the grass. A small cluster of gray and white feathers banded together lay near the birdfeeder, a few scattered feathers were farther along, then a large group of feathers were midway in the yard.

I had never heard a sound. It must have happened during the night. Whatever it was, it was sudden. And the birds must have either fought something bigger than themselves or not known what was coming until it was too late.

The sudden disappearance and wreckage at the birdfeeder shows how abruptly life can change in an instant. It made me think of what scriptures says about Christ’s return. We will be caught unaware as well. Matthew 24:42-44 says, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Mark 13:32-33 says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”

Prayer: Dear God, may our hearts and minds rest in you, dear Jesus, to grow in love and understanding of your word so that we are ready when you come again. Amen.

Watching a hungry titmouse makes me think- what Am I hungry for? Look for a new post on that soon.

Marker Stones and Living Stones

The stone in the picture above is a marker stone, a natural marker of someone who has walked past this tree on a hike. There are many of them along the path I walk. Memories of someone passing by.

This got me to wondering about how others will remember me as I’ve passed by or in their lives. Ray Vander Laan talks about Christians as being “Living Stones” in his book In the Dust of the Rabbi. Christians, with the Holy Spirit dwelling within, are to be living testimonies of God’s power, and love.

We are being shaped by life experiences and our reactions as we walk among the world with God’s guidance and power teaching us how to react and grow. The good and the bad things we experience shape us. In that respect, we are like a piece of rough stone being sculpted and ground by these experiences into the polished stone as part of God’s Holy Temple of living stones.

You’ve heard the expression “God’s not finished with me yet”. Well, for me, that means God is still shaping me, walking with me and guiding me in my daily life. So how do I, as a living stone impact others leaving a mark upon the path of others? The key is to walk in love, realizing that God is shaping me for a very specific purpose that He has had since the beginning.

Sounds easy, but it is not. We are still in this world, with everyday problems and our usual faults. We need to go to the source of love, through prayer and contemplation, reading God’s holy word. Then let His love shine through us as we serve others with love.

Some may say it sounds trite, but as a living stone, the marks we leave behind will be remembered by others as they in turn leave their marks. It’s how the early church started. Through prayer and sharing of God’s love in acts of kindness and service to those in need.

So, a marker stone that is a living stone is the most enduring, long-lasting stone of all. The next time you walk along a path and see a marker stone, think of a living stone and how you can become one, simply by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. As the Holy Spirit dwells within you, pray for guidance to find other believers and pick up a Bible to start your journey. You too will become a living stone that God will shape for his Holy Temple of love and praise, leaving marks for others to believe and grow from as well. It’s up to you. Are you a “living stone“?

Almost Empty Birdfeeder and Me

The almost empty birdfeeder right outside my dining room window reminds me of myself. Like it, I’m in need of filling too, with daily sustenance, physically and spiritually.

When I read scriptures or do a Bible study as I am right now, on “The Discipline of Grace” by Jerry Bridges, I’m reminded of one truth or should I say, one fear I have. What I’ve read needs to be remembered and acted upon, yet I’m afraid.

Afraid I will take it in, then as the days and weeks go by, I’ll forget or let my life resume its usual path.

And why would that be bad you ask?

Well, it would mean I’ve forgotten what I’ve learned, what in essence, has humbled me. I grip my hands, the reassuring taste of my last gulp of coffee reminding me or my past experience and close my eyes in prayer.

Dear God, please don’t let your words, your wisdom, your teachings fall by the wayside like in the parable of the seeds. May your wisdom NOT be choked out or crowded out by the thorns of everyday concerns or get trampled on the stoney path of reality. Create a new and clean spirit within me, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.