My office windows look out, at roughly ground level, on the yard between the church and the rectory (where the rector and his family live). I get to see the seasons pass before me. There’s much to learn from squirrels and birds if we pay attention.
Over the past couple of days, I’ve been watching young house sparrows and grey squirrels explore the world around them and learn about making their way in it.
I feed the birds intentionally. The squirrels, not so much, but I feed them nonetheless. Watching both species at my fancy ‘squirrel proof’ feeder is a real treat. 
The sparrows represent a scarcity mentality at its most fervent. There are four feeding spots at this feeder. One would think that it would accommodate at least four sparrows at once. Wrong! Every time someone gets to the feeder and a second bird alights there as well, sparrow one freaks out and chases him off. While that’s happening someone else flies in and snatches a seed or two while the vying is going on. Pretty soon the feeder starts to sway a bit and birdseed winds up all over the place. Interestingly enough, those who get to feed most peaceably and to their heart’s content seldom perch at the intended spot at all.
Sometimes we humans, even Christian ones are just like that. We see abundance before us and expend more energy making sure that we get our share than we have to. I like to think I’m pretty gracious with the wild bird mix in that feeder, but the frenzy mentality takes hold every time. If I’m honest with myself, I’m often times more like a sparrow than one who trustsdeeply in Grace–God’s unmerited favor towards me.
Life in Christ is not competitive in the way of winners and losers. We are called to an assured posture of God’s provision for us. It seems to me that Jesus had a thing or two say about the first being last and the last being first.
God, give me the grace and courage to trust in you. I suspect you care at least as much about feeding me and all of the rest of your Beloved as I do in feeding my sparrow friends. Let my life and the lives of your faithful people reflect, demonstrate and proclaim that truth!
