CHICKADEE SITING!!!

Does God answer prayer? Does God even HEAR my prayers? Well, let me tell you a little story of a prayer that was answered recently. We have lived in our farmhouse out on the prairie, for nearly 4 years. Until that time, I had lived for almost 20 years where there were giant pine trees in the yard. We had all sort of birds, and I began to take them for granted. Cardinals, "snow" birds, Blue Jays, Wrens, Goldfinch, House Finch, (the homely cousin of the beautiful Goldfinch) several varieties of Peckers, Tufted Titmice, Red and White Breasted Nuthatches, an occasional Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, and of course, every variety of sparrow imaginable! After moving to the country, I thought my bird sighting would increase dramatically|! There were "new to me" species I hadn't seen much of in the city... Hawks, ducks, geese, cranes, wild turkeys, Eastern Bluebirds (with babies just 10 feet from my front door) , swallows, and an American Bald Eagle!!! BUT...no Cardinals, and no Black-capped Chickadees. So...last spring I began praying that the Lord would bring these two special birds back into my life. A couple days later, Pete and I were on the front porch swing, enjoying our early morning coffee, when I told him of my prayer. He said, "There's a cardinal, right there!" Sure enough! A bright, red male was chipping away on a tree branch. And right behind him flew his mate! I was nearly speechless! (hard to imagine I know!) It was weeks later that I spotted my first chickadee. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I quickly called Joy, who knew of my desire to have the chicks back in my life. But then, no chickadees for the longest time. Oh, here and there, I would spot one, flitting in for a quick bite to eat. But weeks, yea, even months have gone by with not a chick in sight. Then today! I have seen chickadees off and on all day!! Perhaps this time they are here to stay? Never the less, God has answered my simple, selfish prayer. No, it wasn't "world peace" I prayed for, although that certainly would be a good thing. And no, it wasn't "the cure" for all the world's pain and sufferings. Although there will come a day when the Lion will lie down with the Lamb. It was just the heartfelt prayer of a woman in need of something from her past. He heard my cry, and He answered me.
Love,
Cyn