Mid-week Devotional:
Week of June 2, 2025
This week’s devotional continues with scripture and its connection to the Advice from An Old Farmer.
Scripture from Proverbs 3:21-25 address the use of “common sense.”
Hear the Word of God,
“21 My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence, 22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. 23 Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. 24 If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked; 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”
This is God’s word for God’s people. Thanks be to God. AMEN.
The words of the psalmist remind us that we are to not panic when we encounter difficult times in our lives that we are not prepared for.
This week’s words of wisdom from the Advice from An Old Farmer are “most times, it just gets down to common sense.”
Last month I experienced a moment of panic. We hired a tree trimmer to come and cut down 2 cedar trees on our acreage plus trim up several other large trees that had become overgrown. On each of the cedar trees there was a bird house but neither of the bird houses had been used the previous year. I had seen birds at our bird feeders fly back into the area where the trees were going to be cut down but I figured they were using the trees as a place to perch and eat their seeds. Just to make sure that each bird house was empty I walked over there to check. When I opened the door to each bird house baby birds lifted their heads up and stared at me! The chicks remained calm but I immediately panicked!
I knew that if I left the bird houses on the trees the chicks would die. I knew that I couldn’t leave them without trying to take each nesting box down and relocate it but how could I make sure the chicks did not try and escape while I moved them. The second worry was where to move the boxes where their parents would find them. My sister in-law and brother enjoy birds and have several different feeding places for the birds who come to their home. My sister in-law shared that to not move them very far away from the original bird nesting box was located. To ensure that the chicks didn’t fly out or fall out as I moved them I cut a piece of aluminum larger than the hole in the bird house. I then taped it over the opening of the bird house. The chicks didn’t panic and bang against the piece of aluminum. They remained quiet and calm.
I carefully removed each bird box from their tree and relocated them 30 feet away along our line fence. The nests were still close to their old location and about the same distance from where adult birds had access to water and food. It didn’t take long for me to witness the parents of the chicks bring them food.
Common sense.
We as humans don’t always use it. Often, we panic first.
The natural world around us created by God shows us over and over their response to change… it keeps on moving forward adjusting to the changes without panic. When a fire occurs in a forest the seeds from the trees and grasses sprout with the rain and begin to grow again. The birds and animals that moved out of the area quickly because of the danger from the fire return slowly and peacefully when grasses and other food sources begin to grow.
In the days ahead:
May both you and I remain calm when changes occur in our lives.
May our journey of faith be strengthened as we adjust to the new events in our lives without fear or panic.
May you and I lean upon God’s presence for strength and courage during the times of change.
I will be praying for you
Peace be with you.
AMEN.