Have you ever listened to your mind? Mine was a tornado of wildly whirling thoughts as I stood waiting for the train this morning. Here’s a tiny peek inside my brain:
The renovations are starting today on my basement. Have we removed everything? Will they go smoothly? Will they be done by the time I go away?
Going away–what do I need to do before I leave? I booked a doctor’s appointment for me and a vet appointment for Teddy? What else?
Teddy–how will he travel? Have to talk to the vet about his vomiting. Do I need to drug him for the trip?
Drugs–need to renew my prescription. So much to do. What about work?
Work–I need to complete my section of my performance appraisal as soon as I finish in the dining room. Then I have to get two staff p.a.’s done before Friday. Not much free time on Thursday, though. Need to get lots done today…
That slice of my thoughts probably took a minute or two. Add to that an ongoing situation that was stressing me out, money worries and chronic physical pain–my mind was tumbling with worries and “to do’s.”
Breaking through my manic revery, I heard birds calling to each other. Blinking as if waking from a nightmare, I felt the warming sun on my head, and saw a gorgeous blue sky after multiple days of rain. The birds, in a world of their own, called back and forth in the fields on each side of the tracks. I concentrated on their music, forcing the sludge of my thoughts back where they belonged.
I listened. Took deep breaths. Listened more.
There was peace there if I chose to reach for it. Birds are busy creatures, yet they sing.
I can sing.
As I embraced peace, it was interrupted by an announcement. “The 6:56 train will be 10 minutes late, due to mechanical problems.” Oh no. I’ll be late and I have so much to do.
Dragging my mind back, I chose to listen again.
Lord, help me to listen each day to the song of the birds, rather than the cacophony of my mind.
“The seed cast in the weeds represents the ones who hear the kingdom news, but are overwhelmed with worries about the things they have to do and all the things they want to get. The stress strangles what they heard, and nothing comes of it.” Mark 4:19 The Message
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The Small Miracle of Listening to Birdshttp://ctt.ec/f6t2R