I couldn’t have captured them if I tried.

But, I certainly would if I could and so I’m always looking, ever aware of my pursuit.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Psalm 27:13 ESV

The one that met me as I began or the one that made its presence known as I drove intent on my part in making things better for someone.

Nor the ones all clustered together to then scatter separately in happy lilting flutters.

I smiled watching as my feet pounded the gravelly trail

Running as a release, and knowing that there’s no need to pause as if I’d cause their pausing. They were all around, teasingly entreating my notice.

Birds are just that way.

Momentarily glimpses of God, in my periphery or suddenly right in front.

And yet, not even as I rounded the curve and the straight place, again, there they were the same small clique, waiting to have me see.

And remember them and the ones before.

The first one, blue.

The second, red and the group, too distant to know, their wings mottled grey and brown.

I couldn’t have captured their appearance if I tried, if I’d flicked my wrist and angled the tiny lens just so and simultaneously tapped the button for a photo.

Even then, I couldn’t have fully captured it, their message to me saying you are seen, you are known, continue singing.

Continue to fly, to walk, to run towards God’s goodness.

Something happens when I step out to walk, to run when I make it a mandate for me.

An unraveling, solitude, unconcern over others around and ears muted to outsiders and filling up with a strong song.

Maybe the getting closer to the sky or unconfined behind desks and screens or maybe it’s the physicality of the unhindered release of mind, of limbs lethargic.

Out amongst the things of God, sounds, movements, and makings, I might otherwise consider only insignificant landscape.

The flight of birds, their singing and skirting about in my presence, it matters to me.

Assures me I matter to God. More than unexpected acclaim or surprising occurrence of good.

The birds remind me I’m small in His presence and yet He knows.

So, I’ll continue changed by the birds I see, I’ll be unchanged by the oddness of it that others might perceive.

I’ll continue joyously at ease every time I see one; the bluebird quick and rare in my presence, the red one, daily and often for me, and the obscure ones gathered together in their little community of engagement.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. – Psalm 36:9 ESV

Each of them for my seeing, elusive in their leading me to carry on, carry on towards the days of goodness in this land of the living.

The birds, the open sky, the invitation to pursue, to wait for all that is good all the good in the light I must go to see, to seek under great big skies, bordered by bird and tree, I must open my eyes to see, open them to heaven!

The unraveling of my anxious thoughts, making space for Him.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:4