At first glance, the photo in this post shows an ordinary tree in winter. No leaves. Some snow. Grayish sky in the background. But when I neared the tree, I saw robins! Lots of them!
I managed to get a photo, albeit not a good one, of at least of few robins before they flew to the next tree. If you look at the right side of the photo, you’ll see five somewhat pixelated robins.
I was surprised to see the robins, partly because I was thinking about my to-do list for the day and wasn’t paying attention to what was around me. Also, I didn’t expect to see robins, a springtime bird, in the middle of winter.
Also unexpected was how the image brought to mind a phrase in today’s reading (John 1: 29-34). No, not the part about the Spirit coming down from the sky like a robin, errr, a dove. It’s when John the Baptist was near enough to see Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God.”
John saw the goodness that was right in front of him.
I think there’s a lot of grace in simply being present to what’s present to us.
What goodness have you encountered today?
Archived Comments
- January 3, 2013 at 3:57 pm
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Thank you so much for sharing the wonder of Robins in Wintertime. I find that nature so often offers me the gift of wonder/miracle awareness if I only take the time to notice! One of my most heart warming reminders is the sound of geese flying overhead above the clouds or through a darkend sky. I can not see them, but I know they are there through their beautiful calling. It is like the journey of faith, it can not always be seen, but it can be known!
Last night I received an email that was filled with goodness to be shared. It suggested a decision to live in the awareness of the power of language. It was an invitation: “Let there be Good Words on earth and let them begin with me.” All who desire to aid in establishing a shift in world-conditions are invited to join the Good Words Club. Why are idle, negative words spoken? Mainly because of thoughtlessness and a lack of understanding of the creative power inherent in the words we speak. Anyone can affiliate with the Good Words Club, regardless of creed. There are no dues, nor fees attached to membership and the official emblem of the club bears the symbol of the Three [Wise and] Good Monkeys, signifying, “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.” It goes on to invite a one month committment to awareness of the language you speak, an awareness to carefully choose to inject goodness into our world rather than negativity. WOW … something like this can be contagious! I was glad to be invited …. and I said YES, YES, YES!!!
- January 3, 2013 at 4:14 pm
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The Good Words Club — sounds like a wonderful initiative! The language we use goes a long way in shaping the world. Thanks for the info, Cate!
- January 3, 2013 at 6:51 pm
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I’m joining! What a great idea. I think Daisy might want to promote it too. Thanks Cate!
- January 5, 2013 at 4:47 pm
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Weeeeelllllll…… It’s like… one p.m. and I just woke up. That may be pure goodness just all by itself….
