Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. ~ Matthew 6:34 ESV

Deep breath in, hold it, then slowly breathe out. Stress. Worry. Panic. All floating away.

The next two weeks are very busy ones for me and my mind has begun to run rampant with worry about getting things done, which leads to my body feeling the tension and fatigue. I am planning to attend a writers conference that involves something I have never attempted, a 3-hour short story marathon. This alone is causing me apprehension, but add the packing not just for this trip, but also for a trip to Ohio to visit family right after the conference, an unscheduled visit to the vet for our elderly fur baby Sophie, and the things of normal life have me spiraling. When I begin to feel this way, my reaction is typically to freeze and put myself even farther behind. This is how I was feeling while sitting in my office this morning.

My desk now faces a window so that I can look out at the wood line behind our house and watch my birds at their feeders. I do love my birds. This morning I was sitting at my computer and listening to a devotion online, when I suddenly saw movement outside. Much to my surprise I looked up to find a male cardinal sitting on my windowsill. He peaked up and looked straight into my office. He may have been seeing his reflection in the window, but to me he appeared to be surveying my office as he turned his head from side to side.  As quickly as he appeared, he was gone.

My first thought was “Thank you Lord.” God knows that I love birds and over the years he has used them to give me what I call God chirps. God chirps are simply reminders that God is still with me and sees me. Sometimes he uses them to give me peace, like when I counted over a dozen Cardinals in a bush outside my window after my mom’s funeral. Most of the time God is whispering to me visually to talk to him. That is what he did today. He reminded me that I only have one day at a time and to not worry about tomorrow. Do what I can today and ask him what the priorities are for this day.

I have paused to watch and listen to the God chirp from the Cardinal on my windowsill. I asked God to help me prioritize my day and I am feeling more at ease. Watch and listen for the God chirps being sent to you today. Remember to pause and enjoy them.

Blessings,

Kathryn