waiting, patience, birds, and photography

but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Today, following up a couple of deeper reflections, I’m simply going to share some great photographs. One sure sign of winter here is the influx of birds around our feeder; the other is the retreat of our labradoodle to the couch!

The other day I talked about wanting a good telephoto lens for wildlife photography. Our daughter – always eager to help – suggested I put the lens on my Amazon wish list. So I did, just for giggles, and the $1,000 price tag totally shocked her. “And that’s for the discount lens,” I said; “the Nikon version goes for $10,000!”

In the meanwhile I’ll be standing very still and as close as I can get without spooking my targets. The missing “prize” photograph is the Eastern Bluebird who posed beautifully until I edged one inch closer than his comfort allowed. Sigh.

Today I’ll be heading out to Lowes for more bird food. But I also need to load up on patience; I tend to watch the birds for an allotted time, then give up and move on after just a few minutes.

Scout Labradoodle is another matter. No stealth needed to take her photo. When she hits the couch it’s lights-out for the remainder of the morning. She’s there now, hoping someone will come by and get a good fire going in the grate.

DEVOTIONAL: A short thought to go with my patience observation a couple of paragraphs back. That tends to be my approach in prayer, too. Watch for an allotted time, then give up and move on after just a few minutes.

The patience thing: it isn’t for God’s benefit; it’s for ours.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
    and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
    and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
    they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:28-31