The Migratory Patterns of Songbirds
These Habits are FROM the Birds
Did you know that songbirds migrate at night?
Now I wouldn’t consider myself an all-out birder, but I did have an IdentiFlyer as a kid so I’m fairly high on the bird nerd list. So when I learned this fact on a full moon hike last weekend, I was shocked that I never knew it. At home, I delved into Audubon and Birdwatching articles to learn more.
Songbirds use the stars as a map.
Who or what am I allowing to guide me?
I want it to be God, but I’ve found myself logging onto Facebook and news websites first thing in the morning as I wake up. Nothing like a little crazy, disturbed, and competitiveness to start your morning.
I am learning to create space and practices that draw me back to God.
One of my spiritual practices this year is collaging and writing down Scripture weekly, allowing it to soak into my head as I physically focus on writing it. I am making more time and space to pray and to build it into the rhythms of my day. When I am full, then it can overflow to those around me.
Since my daughter was born, I have spoken the nighttime blessing - “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). A few weeks ago, she began to fight it as she realized it was a cue leading to bedtime.
Leaning into what I’m learning about habits, I created simple motions and have been drawing her into saying it with me. Now, instead of fighting it, my twenty-month-old is learning how to speak His Truth over her life, and often saying “more! more!” when we are done!
Songbirds cover hundreds to thousands of miles at night, but when the light of morning comes, they sing the songs they were gifted.
Is my attitude one of praise throughout the day after a long night of comforting a teething toddler? A nighttime journey does not negate singing in the day.
A few years ago, I read Tish Harrison Warren’s book Prayer in the Night and in it she writes -
“Beauty doesn’t take away the pain of suffering or vulnerability. It’s not like cicada song or good coffee make it hurt any less to lose a spouse or a friendship, or even just to have a hard day. But in the times when we think anguish and dimness are all there is in the world, that nothing is lovely or solid, beauty is a reminder that there is more to our stories than sin, pain, and death. There is eternal brilliance. It’s not quite enough to resolve our questions or tie anything up in a nice metaphysical bow, but sometimes it is enough to get us through the next hour. And in enduring a mystery, we need just enough light to take one more step.”
It’s been a rough week in our home - feelings of overwhelm, crankiness, and exhaustion erupting like a volcano, spewing burning lava on each other. In the midst, I’ve been making Good Lists all over the place to refocus. This is an intentional practice of mine to find the beauty, whether I write it down or acknowledge it in my mind.
Elizabeth’s Good List from the Week
Playing at the library to switch environments, toys, & books
An awesome planning meeting for our Women’s Ministry at church - I love my team!
The solidarity of our local mom’s group & life with littles
Lunch with a friend in from Boston
Sourdough French Toast & sautéed pears for a Friday morning breakfast since my husband worked from home
Iced Kenyan Black Tea with milk
A toddler who makes me laugh with her antics & skill-building
Going to bed before 10pm two nights this week!
After their hard work at night, songbirds spend the day resting & eating.
What habits am I creating in my days - rest & nourishment, or hurry and exhaustion?
As we dip more and more into January, “habits” is a bit of a New Year’s buzzword, but they are vital to our lives and spiritual formation. I have been asking myself this question as I try to slow our pace of life down and cultivate what I want to see in my relationship with Jesus, marriage, parenting, and home.
I am slowly reading and highlighting up the book Habits of the Household. Here is what the author says about habits (p. 10) -
“This is why habits are so neurologically formative: like a rut, they take us somewhere. They have a destination even when our minds are opposed to it…when our heads go one way but our hearts go another…the heart always follows the habit.”
Habits I’m Focusing On Lately
Setting my phone across the room
Full disclosure here: sometimes I get so engrossed in people’s drama/random situations on the Reddit Thread “Am I the [Jerk]?” that I waste time I could be doing any number of other (and probably more enjoyable) things!
Adding items to the basement Goodwill pile
A.K.A. items/books/clothes that I’m tired of moving around for no reason and that aren’t being used
Working on getting those 1000 Hours Outside!
Having fruits, veggies, cheese, and crackers prepared and easily on hand
This helps with healthy snacking as we explore parks, work around the house, etc. I have been buying a veggie tray from the Farmer’s Market and then I have apples, berries, or pears washed and ready to go
Morning Reading
We have been taking a few minutes each morning to read after breakfast. This helps my daughter see me read and she loves to pull up her rocking chair beside me with her own books.
Currently reading: Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley and Microadventures by Alastair Humphreys
Songbirds find and build their homes (and sometimes down to the specific tree they have nested in for years past).
How am I building my home?
As stated above, I’m working on building the spiritual and emotional aspects of our home, but I am also working on creating a physical space that I love! I recently rearranged our living room, plus added two gorgeous golden wingback chairs (that were my grandparents!) and I am loving sitting in my chair by the window more often. I have also been trying to eliminate clutter because I get so tired of managing it.
We have also been trying to make time in the evenings as a couple to play a quick game or two, and so making sure the table is cleared off is essential!
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I am thankful for the songbirds and the questions they have made me ponder this week. If you get the chance, do a full moon walk or hike. You never know what gift it will give you!