Try, Try, And...Try Again.....By Abigail Rike

Try, Try, and.....Try Again

By abigail rike

Things here at our nest are flying nicely. What is affectionately referred to as our Backyard Bird Daycare in the spring has been replaced with our Birds of Prey Daycare now in the fall. We know we have a red-tailed hawk Juvenile and Cooper's Hawk juvenile nesting nearby as both have been in the trees or sky near our nest quite frequently. We believe we have an eagle pair nest nearby with a fledge and at least one pair of Ospreys also with a possible fledge. Aside from the Birds of Prey, we continue to see new or long-gone returning backyard birds. The black and white warbler has returned once already and we have briefly seen a pair of new birds,  female and male American Redstarts, who were presumably on their migration.
  
 It was on one of these beautiful fall days, the kind of day birders and photographers alike enjoy immensely, that we learned a big lesson from a tiny bird… This day was excellent as it was a day with the perfect light for great pics, with fluffy white clouds for the backdrop, and with just the right amount of bird activity seemingly choreographed by the numerous bird songs in the surrounding trees; however, this perfect day had one detractor. It was windy and not just a cooling breeze; but, gigantic random gusts. The large birds like the Blue-Jays and Northern Mockingbirds did not seem to be bothered by the high wind speeds but smaller birds like the House Finches and Chickadees struggled against the wind to get to the feeder. It was on this day that the Eastern Kingbird chose to come back for the first time this year.

On this ordinary Sunday morning, we were all in Mom's room watching church (watching instead of attending due to social distancing). Mom and CJ were watching and sitting next to each other; while I was lounging across the end of the bed looking out the windows and listening to the sermon. Mom noticed the bird first, among the congested smattering of Mourning Doves and clustered mass of House Finches on the platform feeder. He was somewhat visible in the trees despite being partially blocked by several Carolina Chickadees who were moving so fast back and forth from the main tree to feeders it looked almost as if they were glitching. He was sitting on a branch between two of our regular Blue Jays and under the ever-watchful eyes of the Northern Mockingbirds who themselves were perched, preening at the top of the back tree. It was there hidden among all the “normal” crew that this small bird sat which we did not recognize immediately.   

Realizing we had a “new” bird visitor, all three of us simultaneously flew into action.  Amidst a flurry of throw pillows, camera cases, legs, arms, and flying fur (due to our attempt to shuffle our house menagerie at that moment consisting of two dogs and cat away from the window) we mounted our cameras and assumed our positions, ready to capture the pictures. Depending on how long the bird stays, i.e. how skittish it is the first time it visits, we normally only get a few pictures but this time all three of us got a multitude of pictures and bragging rights for the same. After viewing him close up through the camera lens we recognized two things. First, we knew what kind of bird he was, and second, he had come only once the year before. It was an Eastern Kingbird.  The Kingbird is not tiny like the Carolina Chickadee nor was he big like the Blue Jay. He is more Cardinal sized, typically 5-9 inches but this one was quite little or at least leaning closer to the five-inch mark. 

As I said, the day the Kingbird came it was extremely windy with wind speed clocking at 12.428 mph. The Kingbird sat at the top of the tree looking as if he was getting a feel for the area; struggling to remain sitting on the branch with the wind gusting at random intervals. He then made his way down hopping to the lower branches, seemingly gaining a better view of the feeders and birdbath. He sat on the lower branch for a while and watched the other birds fly back and forth to the feeder and birdbath. Since he stayed so much longer there, it seemed he had an easier time sitting on the lower branches than on the higher ones he previously occupied. Since he sat there for so long, we thought we might have to induct him into our Birdwatching group as an amateur birdwatcher. He suddenly spread his wings, hopped off the branch, and flew to the birdbath. He flew straight through the crowd of Doves, he flew dodging the glitching Chickadees, and he flew through and against the invisible wall of wind.  He did not make it to the birdbath, he stopped halfway and went back to the branch. What happened? We don’t know. He then repeated this behavior a few times. He would get ready to take off and change his mind, or he would take off, but turn around halfway. The wind seemed to be blowing stronger than he could fly but again he watched his target, got his footing, spread his wings, and...........
nope, never mind.......He did not give up, though. It seemed nothing was going to deter him from his goal, not the crowd of doves that do not know what personal space is, nor the speedy chickadees glitching out of nowhere in front of him and then seemingly disappearing into thin air. No odds were going to stop him from his goal.  Even with all obstacles stacked against him, he continued to try, over and over, and he continued to fail over and over. Then out of nowhere, on the umpteenth try, he did it!  He landed on the birdbath AND…….

……promptly fell off the birdbath edge and went back to the tree branch. 

Of course, I think once he realized he could make it to the birdbath he was soon making the flight and landing over and over again staying longer each time. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only ten minutes, he made it! He landed on the birdbath, and he did not fall off, he finally got to take a drink of the water he had been trying so hard to reach. 
All three of us stopped what we were doing to watch him throughout his trial (Don’t worry Pastor we paused the sermon). We stared quietly watching him in our way but after his repeated failures, we started to cheer him on as a group. When he finally landed on the birdbath, we cheered like football fans whose favorite team had just scored the winning touchdown. Except there was no football, nor touchdown, just a very happy bird and some equally happy birdwatchers. 

Rarely have we seen a bird show any type of stubbornness and perseverance of this magnitude except of course when banding together to scare away a predator.  We have not had any trouble with other birds landing on the birdbath but for some reason the variables were stacked against this bird that day. Despite the hardship, this little bird was determined, and he refused to quit. Why did he persevere? Was it because of the “principle” of the matter?  Was it because he was “right” and that pesky birdbath was meant for him? Was he "Entitled" to the water? No, none of that.  

He persevered because he was a bird and was thirsty.
When a bird is thirsty, he drinks water that is what they are meant to do.
Simple problem and simple solution. 

So, this bird used his nature and role to understand the problem and come up with a solution, even if it took him 100 tries. This world is full of trials and stumbling blocks. Sometimes these things are in plain sight like a crowd of Doves but sometimes they are invisible, things we create purposely or more often ignorantly for ourselves like the invisible force of the wind. We are Christians. We live in the world but must fight our sin, flesh, and devil. That is the problem and the solution is simple, we are to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14.

Not one time, not two times, not three times, but we are to press forward until we persevere, overcome this world, and are with Jesus. When the obstacles arise and the winds blow stronger, we need to remember that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” Psalm 46:1
Note though, even if we manage some overcoming, it may not be viewed as a victory by others. (Since when is stumbling a victory). The little Kingbird made it to the bowl but fell off subsequently. It is the TRY that matters to God, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. “Psalm 37:23-24. More importantly, God is not surprised by what we do or do not do. When he called us, loved us, and died for us he knew at that moment all of our "tries" and our "falls." So, when we fall, we are not forgotten by God.  So, a victory for the moment but not overall is ok too. The Lord has compassion.

Similarly, we were happy for the Kingbird to make it to the birdbath even when he subsequently fell off the bowl. We didn’t think badly of him for a moment and neither does God, “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11.  We will all face trials that SEEM like they have everything stacked against us. That is not true because we can do all things through Christ. In fact, we should count it all joy! James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations;  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Through all trials, when everything is bleak and seems hopeless we will sing praises to His name!
We need however need to put on the armor of God and be ready, we will fight temptation with Scripture to keep trying. Regardless, this armor is protection for US and has nothing to do with how God feels about us. He is my Father in heaven, and He loves me despite all that I have done. So I know, He created this little happy Kingbird with all of its stubbornness, endurance, and perseverance. The Bible says “in all things we are to glorify Him.” When the birds sit on the treetops and sing as loud as they can with their beaks pointed upwards, I am going to close my eyes and enjoy the music because I know who it is for.  It is for their Creator. When I see something so small as what the Kingbird accomplished (what would be a small and simply easy task for me to accomplish) seemingly impossible task for him, it reminds me that whatever the seemingly impossible tasks are in our lives, they are simple easy tasks for God and are for us as well. Why? It is what we do. Problem and solution. We are to persevere because we are asked to persevere for God has instructed us to persevere. We hope because God has given us hope. We are to be who HE has created us to be even if it takes 100 tries. We are to do what we know to do “And hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” 
(See also James 1:12, Revelation 2:10, Ecclesiastes 9:11, 2 Corinthians 1:21)
Tamara, "Mom,"  says, “In reading Abby’s blog (the first one ever, great job sweetie), I couldn’t help but think of the song by Emile Sande, “Free As A Bird.” It is not in Christian Genre per se, but perhaps but definitely could be; especially the second verse and if I change but two words in the chorus.”
See below my change in red and link to song https://youtu.be/IDTf-7Ol0aU

I've been tearing down the walls
I've been kicking down the doors
I've been burning all the boxes
'Cause I'm a slave to only truth
I'm as wild as a wolf
You can't keep me from the mountains
I'm replacing all my demons
For the sweetest songs of freedom

Last night I had a dream that I could fly
Now, baby, I, I'm as free as a bird
I'm as free as a bird
Baby, I, I don't know if you heard
I don't know if you heard
But I taught my heart to sing
And God gave me a pair of wings
Now, baby, I, I'm as free as a bird
I'm as free as a bird

I've been flying through the trees
I've been dancing on the breeze
I kiss the sun now every morning
I've been shaking off the chains
I've been giving up the games
I've been answering my calling
And as soon as I surrendered
The light began to enter

Last night I had a dream that I could fly
Now, baby, I, I'm as free as a bird
I'm as free as a bird
Baby, I, I don't know if you heard
I don't know if you heard
But I taught my heart to sing
And God gave me a pair of wings
Now, baby, I, I'm as free as a bird
I'm as free as a bird
​
Baby, I, I'm as free as a bird
I'm as free as a bird
Oh I, I don't know if you heard
I don't know if you heard
But I taught my heart to sing
And God gave me a pair of wings
Now, baby, I, I'm as free as a bird


Songwriters: Emeli Sande / Jacob McKenzie / Laidi Saliasi
Free As A Bird lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.