I have spent a significant amount of time on my covered back porch this week observing the end of a drought. I know for many of you this is symbolic in your life. There is nothing so explosive in nature as rain delivered to a drought-stricken land. God speaks of springs in the desert for our parched souls in Isaiah 35. I noticed one single rain lily in the corner of my yard come to life. A rain lily seed can sit dormant for years. Then after a significant rain, this seed bursts open and grows over a foot in a single day producing a single but sublime flower that steals all the attention away from the carefully manicured and man-watered flowerbeds.

And then, oh my, the painted bunting showed up at my feeder. It stole the show. Never have I seen such color and glory poured into one small creature. I really don’t have words, only the picture I have included today can begin to do it justice. The red, chartreuse, greens, and blues were whimsically painted upon its body by the master creator.

And so I watched and contemplated and enjoyed as the Father shared His message of hope and encouragement to me and you. When we seem as a buried meaningless non-producing seed or just another insignificant sparrow wandering aimlessly in a parched and drab-colored world He speaks:

“The Spirit of the sovereign Lord will… bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

- Isaiah 61: 3 NIV

Painted Bunting