Spending more time outside in nature lately, I’m discovering new things.  Strange new things.  Like how all the birds suddenly disappeared. They aren’t singing anymore!

For days I was mystified. Every visitor heard my complaint. “There’s something wrong! Haven’t you noticed?”

I love waking up early to God’s natural alarm clock. The sound of singing birds comes as early as 4:30 . But now I’m sleeping later and later. They just aren’t as numerous.

And it’s not just birds. The obnoxiously loud frogs in our pond have gone quiet too!  The only consistent sound I hear in the warm summer evenings are crickets humming, sort of like a constant white noise.

Today I’m relieved, however.  I found out it’s just August being August.

Yes, it took a several weeks of being puzzled over this mystery to find out what was going on. The birds haven’t died. I didn’t kill them with my cheap bird seed. They are just resting and doing as little as possible – and August is an important month for this!  You see, in the Spring, when birds return from their migratory southern vacation, they sing their heart out to attract mates. This is followed by weeks of nest building, child-rearing, and defending territories.  And all the while they are feeding themselves, and several hungry mouths, too!  It’s all very exhausting.  And, it takes a toll on their feathers.

This is why in the hot month of August, (or as early as July) most birds molt. For some it’s not a pretty sight to shed their old, dead attachments, and it’s not easy to fly well during this time, either.  Some studies think birds get depressed during this time, or at least a bit grumpy.  But the fact is, they are going through a needful transition. When the season is over, they will have grown new feathers, and gained their strength back. Then, when it comes time for their long southern trip back south, they’ll be rip-roaring to go!

Personal Application:

Nature teaches us that there’s a time for work, and a time for rest. A time for being productive, and a time for being a seed buried in the ground.  Do people go through seasons together, even as the birds go through them together? I believe so. At least with the people I am most spiritually connected to–my experience is we are often in the same boat together, going through similar ebbs and flows.  Plus, there’s a good example of a season we universally go through together, and at the same general time: sleep.

Unlike birds, however, we aren’t as tuned into seasons. We bypass our internal clocks and force ourselves to do exhausting, unnatural (anti-nature) things that don’t truly satisfy or rejuvenate us. We stunt our growth. We make ourselves sick. And then we wonder why we are still tired after a vacation, after a weekend, or after a night’s sleep!  Instead of operating from an inward guidance that is in tune with our truest selves, and our Maker – we often resist the need for “pulling away” and truly resting.

Why do we do this? I think sometimes when our bodies and spirits suddenly call us to this deeper place of rest, it feels like a “death” compared to the more stimulating and productive season we may have just come from.  The idea of death doesn’t feel so great, at least not in the beginning. We know we have to operate by faith, instead of sight, and we won’t be in the limelight. Nobody will be waking up to our songs. It just isn’t as glamorous.

Being more like the birds, however, let’s accept the darker and more quiet times of our life with hopeful resolve.  Listen more.  Go inward more.  It might not feel like anything is happening, but if we trust in God’s love for us, and patiently submit to a walk of faith during this time – we will come through.  And not just come through, but come through with fresh strength for a fresh season!

P.S. After discovering this information about birds and molting, this verses from Isaiah 40:29-31 came more alive:

He gives power to the faint; and to him that has no might, he increases strength.
Even boys grow tired and weary, and young men collapse and fall,
but those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength.
They will mount up with wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary; and they will walk and not faint.  

We dance round in a ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and knows. – Robert Frost

Charlie and Cheryl live on a somewhat remote, rural property in Alabama where they do organic gardening, chickens and various permaculture projects—all on just 3 acres. They call their place “the Secret Garden.” On one of our past winter travels, I jumped all over the chance to get a tour.

I learned when they bought their property eight years ago, it was dilapidated. There was no garden. There was barely a house. Friends and family thought they were crazy for taking on such a huge project but now it’s flourishing with life! Organic life too, the way it was originally intended. For being late November, it was surprising to see so many things blooming and harvestable.

Speaking of organic. As they were showing us around, we paused at a row of Bok Choy. (in the cabbage family) It was riddled with bug-chewed holes. My husband commented how most people wouldn’t eat imperfect vegetables like that. But informed people and cultures trust such imperfections. It’s a sign the food is ‘real.’

“A real insight into true theology!” Charlie responded.

“Oh, how so?” Our interest was piqued. We were early into our walk and didn’t know this man was a thinker along this line!

Charlie explained when the Bible talks about perfection, and “being perfect,” it doesn’t mean being flawless. (Matthew 5:48, for example) The word and idea behind it is maturity. This means, despite the often fatalistic mentality otherwise, “perfection” in this life is possible!

The beauty and simplicity of this truth really opened up to me. It’s in such a stark contrast to my experience with man’s religion—the type that makes spiritual life complicated. Their focus is on doing things to please God and be useful to Him. But nature teaches us growth and maturity comes when we simply “abide” in Christ’s life, and “let nature take its course.”  Artificial and toxic methods to being healthy and perfect (you can fill in the blank here with a list of things) is to tamper with, and frustrate the outworking of divine, natural life that comes by faith, and peacefully yielding to His life inside us.  

As for the “bruises, worm holes and dirt” of organic life? Nature teaches us to be okay with this, too. There is no fear of being disqualified. For those who abide in God’s garden in the midst of this world, getting a little dirty is part of what happens sometimes. This is not an excuse to sin. It’s just that our weaknesses and failures are more a sign of being real than anything! The most life-giving people are not those who hide their “battle scars,” but despite them, and even with them, go on to grow and mature as they were intended.

Life and life more abundant

“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.” – Frances Hodgson Burnett

Another thing about this “secret garden” we toured. It had no sign out front. Charlie and Cheryl don’t seek visitors to their humble place, or even blog for that matter. But somehow people (like us) come to visit them through word-of-mouth.  Some are sick and want to learn how plants can help them. And people in the local area—a staunch bible belt region—are warming up to them, too. In fact, that became evident when we walked around the front yard. About a half-dozen cars drove by during this time span, and each one beeped and waved at Charlie! Charlie told us that every day he walks his land’s perimeter to mediate and pray. When a car passes by, he waves at them. After years of consistently doing this, all the locals started calling him “The Waving Man!”

I thought this was a whimsical example of how no matter how “rural” your life is from the hubbub of activity, simple expressions of love have rippling effects. Even in a “garden enclosed,” God’s life is powerful. It can’t help but overflow walls, spread to remote places, and ultimately win even the hardest of hearts. 

Here’s to “Secret Gardens,” and God’s amazing, abundant life!