Tending My Own Affairs
We urge you…also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business…that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12 (NKJV)
I am a little nosey! I want to know what others are doing but that is about as far as it goes. On Facebook, I like reading posts but making few comments. I want to know but not get involved. Ginger Kolbaba (All God’s Creatures) shares a great message about taking care of your own business.
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Our backyard critter sanctuary is a flurry of activity. My office window looks out at the bird-and-squirrel feeders, the hummingbird feeder, and the birdbath, so I get a front-seat view of all the goings on.
Watching what my husband calls the “zoo” has brought immense peace and enjoyment. Sparrows and blue jays, cardinals and woodpeckers, rose-breasted grosbeaks and grackles, red-winged blackbirds and robins, house finches and ruby-throated hummingbirds. Sometimes so many birds show up that I humorously tell Scott I’m looking to see if I can find a little birdie convention bus somewhere nearby dropping them off.
And of course, who can have large bird feeders and not contend with squirrels and chipmunks? I even spotted a baby bunny and a doe!
What always impresses me are the mourning doves and the chipmunks. No matter what’s going on, who shows up, who flutters around or chases somebody or causes an uproar, the chipmunks and doves always seem to be at peace in the flurry. In fact, I laugh when the birds scatter birdseed off the feeders, so the seed inevitably pelts the chipmunks—and they don’t seem to be bothered by it at all.
The chipmunks and doves mostly just mind their own business, eat, and do their thing. They don’t get shaken by what’s going on around them, nor do they try to cause a stir. They mind their own business and live at peace (at least the ones in my backyard do!).
They’re a good reminder for how God wants me to live as well—He desires for me to aspire to lead a quiet life, live at peace with everyone, and mind my own affairs. The apostle Paul says that when I do, I will “lack nothing.” That’s an excellent payoff.
Father God, thank You for all the life lessons that You teach us through nature. We have so much yet to learn. Please fill us with the desire to be more like You. AMEN.
Photo Michael Johnston