Friday, June 24, 2011

Curlew Sandpiper?

Whew, my back yard does have some of the strangest animals. (And we live in a very populated area.)

I saw this bird a few times early in the morning. At first I thought it was a female woodpecker, but each time I'd get close to the window or slider it would fly away. But she (I think it's a she?) didn't peck on the trees or hop up them like woodpeckers.

So one morning I had my camera ready. Please excuse the bad photo-because it's shot through my sliders from inside and through my screen on the patio.

I managed this one shot before she flew. After enlarging it on my computer, this poor baby has a deformed bill. It appears to be a Curlew Sandpiper. I was wondering why she was alone, usually sandpipers are in groups. Oh, and at the beach. But we haven't had rain in forever, so my yard looks like the beach-all sand and no grass/weeds. She still manages to find stuff to eat, but I don't know how with her beak.

"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down, what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and he told me;

 'My grace is enough; it's all you need, My strength comes into its own in your weakness.'

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (MS)

Oh, Father, let my weakness be filled with Your strength, and it is enough.

Photo:karenrevans

12 comments:

Jean Wise said...

Perfect illustration and photo with your key point. God is so creative, isn't He?

Rosaria Williams said...

We lived in Florida for a while, in Tallahassee, too cool in winter, too hot in summer. My husband couldn't take the humidity all that time. Yes, we live in a beautiful area. But even paradise has its snakes.

Rosaria Williams said...

p.s. thanks for the visit.

Stephanie Faris said...

SO cool. We might get cool creatures in my back yard but I never stop to look!

Anonymous said...

God's little critters always seen to be able to find something to eat, even when there isn't a Burger King near by :-)

Anonymous said...

What an amazing beak that bird has!

Dave said...

It has a very long beak Karen. Your lesson at the end is very true - Dave

Kathryn Magendie said...

We see so many creatures that have something that should hold them back but does not - they know they must eat and take care of themselves to survive and their spirit of "do or die" always inspires me . . . sometimes I'll see them and after a time I do not and wonder what has become of them and other times they stay around for a long time and I watch and root them on!

Julie Gillies said...

Wow, Karen, your photos never cease to amaze me. I feel sorry for that bird with it's deformed beak, but it seems to be doing alright, doesn't it? Love the scriptures you've included here. His strength, His grace is enough.

Blessings to you!

Karen said...

Jeanie, yes, and we're still learning more all the time. :)

Rosaria, yes it does get hot here, but I can't do cold very well. Maybe that is why God made all different climates.

Stephanie, hey, go look and keep a camera handy.

Ron, now you know that's because they haven't tried Burger King. :P

Lady Fi, it amazed me, too.

Dave, thanks. I did feel sorry for it, until I realized it was doing all that God intended it to do.

Kat, yes, they don't seem to feel sorry for themselves, do they?

Julie, yes, but she managed. A great lesson for us humans, I think. I love those scriptures, too.

Sista In Arms Lxx said...

Loved reading this today, a little reminder that no matter what WE think will hold us back, in His strength we will always move forwards.
Thanks for dropping by my blog, it 's been a while since I have written. I tend to write notes on my FaceBook page, love to see you there..SistasInArms.
Words of wisdom and encouragement are always welcome :)
Lxx

Sista In Arms Lxx said...

Ps....Have posted your blog link on SistasInArms FaceBook page :)