Night Songs
But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:8
Recently I learned a great deal about mockingbirds. They don’t pretend to be other birds but practice sounding like other birds. They know who they are! This devotion by Twila Bennett (All God’s Creatures) helps us realize how easy it is to try to be someone else.
*****
The early summer sunset moved past the tree line in our campsite along the river. Each leaf above me was clearly outlined in a navy sky by the full moon showing off behind the branches. The river water splashed. Night sounds surrounded me. Our campfire roared. My husband was at my side. I loved this peaceful evening away from the busyness of home.
And then we heard the loud sounds of a mockingbird disturbing the quiet. Another answered farther away. And then again nearby. More replies.
The mockingbird gets its name from its habit of mimicking the songs of other birds as it sings. Brilliant imitators, mockingbirds continue to learn new sounds and songs throughout their lives.
It’s the oddest thing to hear birds singing at night. We are so used to morning celebrations by a bird feeder at sunrise or the sounds of seagulls at the beach in the afternoon. But young male mockingbirds take advantage of the nighttime quiet to show off their songs, hoping to attract a mate. They were certainly attracting our attention.
During the night when I heard them again, I remembered times when I was the attention-getter. I worked hard to overcome shyness by over-compensation in personality. With my big laugh and natural ability to mimic, I found it easy to model the behavior of leaders I admired and teach myself how to become more assertive. I truly believed that my learned behavior was who I really was at heart.
Losing a job changed me. I realized that the attention I sought was not my true nature. The me that was adored by my friends had a big laugh, but the authentic me has a more joyous, reflective style that isn’t overbearing. After several years of finding my original song, I have never felt more like myself.
Sing on, little bird.
A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. - Joan Walsh Anglund
Father God, thank You for setting me apart in Your creation. Help me to be grateful for who I am and please, Father, help me to rightly love myself more. AMEN.