Privileged Birds, Privileged YOU and ME

PRIVILEGED means having special rights, advantages, favored

My sweet sister knows my love for cardinals because of so many that have visited me since my dear husband’s graduation to heaven seven plus years ago. She gave me these two cardinals yesterday that were given to her years ago. It touched my heart so much that she remembered what cardinals mean to me. I’m PRIVILEGED to KNOW where my sweetheart is right now. His grave site is here in Tulsa, but I rarely visit it because I know he's not there. As Billy Graham said, “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God." I love that and that’s what I've thought since the day of my sweetheart's passing. Because I know he’s alive and well, those little cardinals which are said to represent a loved one visiting us, have been my little treat – every time I see one. I’m privileged to think that way.

I’m PRIVILEGED with happy and good thoughts daily because I choose to do so. Why am I and why are YOU so PRIVILEGED? Several years ago I was in Hawaii and eating in one of the open air restaurants. As I sat there, I watched the PRIVILEGED birds have a continual feast when someone would get up from their table. They'd sweep in and devour the leftovers. As I thought about those birds, I thought about the exquisite, yet simple lifestyle they have. They don't have to dig for worms or look far for food -- they just eat from the tables that are so readily accessible. Then, I thought about birds in other countries -- where there is abounding poverty, where there is little food to be found. Yet, those birds just stay with their "status quo", instead of venturing over to a place of blessings and abundance. They have settled for their "lot in life".

Isn't that like many of us who settle in for "I guess that's the best I can do....or the best that I can get"? As children of God, there's a place of PRIVILEGE and abundance for us, if we'll step out in faith and go for the opportunities and blessings that are just waiting for us. When we receive Christ by faith, we have the privilege of becoming His children. We are adopted into His family. "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." - John 1:12.

Back to those birds. In Matthew 6, Jesus put it this way “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Indeed, we are PRIVILEGED to be children of God Who daily offers us so many blessings, but maybe it’s a matter of being present to recognize them. I’m quick to recognize the cardinals. What if we started recognizing our PRIVILEGES daily as children of God? Living in a free country, having a roof over our head, running water, a warm bed to sleep in, plenty of food to eat. Matthew 6:26 again – “BUT, seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS (PRIVILEGES) shall be added to you.”