It’s really not all that extreme.  I only check 30 or 40 times a day. 

Because she knows I love to watch the birds, my kind wife bought me a brand new, deluxe-model bird feeder for our new yard.  (That’s it in the cover photo.)  I finally managed to get it hung in what seems to be an ideal spot – between our house and the lake, with a great view of it from most of the large windows on that side of the house.

At least it’s an ideal location for the occupants of our house.  Not sure yet about the birds.

Winged visitors so far have been scarce.  This is both surprising and concerning.  Prior experience tells me that within a half-day, birds are typically gorging themselves on their new-found food supply. 

And it’s not like there aren’t birds around this area!  Their varied songs are almost constantly filling the air; their darting flights frequently catching one’s attention.  In fact, with the more rural setting here, we live in a bird-rich environment.

Yet, my new feeder full of fresh birdseed hangs from its new shepherd’s pole – largely ignored.

Undoubtedly a large factor is that both our neighbors immediately to the west also have birdfeeders, and they seem to keep them stocked.  Those are the two that I know feed the fowl; likely in this quiet part of the Midwest, many others near us do as well.  The neighborhood birdies have been hitting those smorgasbords for some time now.  Why leave a good and reliable food source?

In Tacoma, we were the only feeders on the block.  We had no competition!

Nevertheless, by sheer volume of the local avian residents around us now, it would seem that there would still be a need for feed, and/or some would be eager for a new source of goodies.  That doesn’t seem to be the case.

I know, because I take a look-see about 30 or 40 times a day.

With the seeming lack of interest by the local winged population, I even researched best places to put feeders.  In the open to provide sunshine and good visibility for the birds?  Check.   Away from trees where squirrels can easily access and cats can easily prey?  Check.  Close enough to trees and shrubs so birds can take cover if needed?  Check. 

Or at least I think these points are all covered.  But perhaps it is a bit too exposed?  The experts tried to reassure me that sometimes it takes a while for the birds to find the feeder.  But it’s never taken this long before!

Of course, we have had a little action.

Not surprisingly, the first to notice the new feeder was a squirrel.  He sat on his back haunches and looked longingly for the longest time at the stockpile above.  Then I watched him try to shimmy up the metal pole.  He didn’t make it the first time and gave up.  But he must have returned for a second try and managed, because I caught him in the feeder later.  (At least, I assume it was the same perpetrator.)  Now there is a squirrel “baffle” on the pole.  (Yes, I know.  I should have installed one from the start!)

The first visitor of the winged variety that I witnessed was a blue-headed grackle.  Not what I was hoping for, but progress.  The second visitor was a goldfinch.  That was exciting!  Both have returned.  The grackle brought a friend.  I’ve also had a few mourning doves pecking below the feeder. 

But not a single sparrow, finch, chickadee, or any other usual denizens for the birdseed dole … the species who usually hit the feeders hard.  At least none that I’ve spotted in my repeated and increasingly desperate checks.

Then yesterday, the Lord convicted me.  The thought suddenly struck me – what if I searched the Scriptures as often and eagerly as I search for birds on my new feeder?

Yikes!  Thanks, Lord.  Sorry, Lord. 

And it’s been a particularly trying week.  While I’m in my Bible daily, yet I didn’t dig into my Bible any more than I usually do … even under duress.  I scoped out the feeder 30 or 40 times a day, but I didn’t cast my eyes into God’s Word even a few extra times than normal.  (Though I certainly prayed a lot more!)

I’m embarrassed by this.  (Not about the praying, but about not searching the Scriptures more.)  Feeding my soul is far more critical than any feeding birds … no matter the number or the type. 

Yes, watching the birds provides me with a simple joy.  Yet reading my Savior’s messages to me provides joy … and hope … and insights … and strength … and comfort … and confidence … and so much more!

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

Maybe seeing the birds peck up their meals isn’t your thing.  (And it’s not my only “thing;” I have many more!)  Nevertheless, I’m pretty confident you have other diversions that “demand” your attention and distract you from digging into God’s truths more regularly as well.

Spiritually and even logically, we probably recognize how easily we are sidetracked from the Word.  And we also probably recognize what we are missing out on when we do.  But still we neglect it!  Far too easily and often!

I can’t tell you what to do.  But I can tell you what I will do.  I’ll undoubtedly still search for birds at the feeder multiple times a day.  I’ll also search the Scriptures more every day!  Because what I see there is food for my soul.

“When your words came, I ate them;  they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name,  Lord God Almighty” (Jeremiah 15:16).  “How sweet are your words to my taste,  sweeter than honey to my mouth!”  (Psalm 119:103).

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Isaiah 55:10-12
As the rain and the snow  come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,  so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire  and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace …

2 Timothy 3:14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.