My husband and I moved into our canyon home in June of 1988. We both loved it from the moment we walked into the front door. Cathedral ceilings in almost every room, most offering a set of French Doors that took us to a balcony that overlooked a sprawling, yet intimate canyon, and a front door that was hidden from the street gave us a sense of living alone in the sky. It was perfect for us.

Along the length of the home runs a balcony that gives us access from three major rooms. For many years, I paid no attention to that long and narrow space. I was occupied with business and had no time for such things as lingering and considerations. Interestingly enough, when I gave my life back to the Lord Jesus Christ, the balcony became my new sanctuary. All the activities that were able to be observed suddenly became analogies for me. Every observation of every plant and weed, every cloud, sunbeam, distant fire, active storm, blatant rainbow, and even the single, lonely bird, became a spiritual analogy. With that came the addition of hummingbird feeders and suspended seed feeders, basins with fresh water, and an environment that afforded these precious heartbeats of God’s creation a place to call home. The flittering littles became my friends.

Sometimes things go dormant in the winter. I don’t know why that is for me. I guess I should be more attentive throughout the year but I fail miserably at maintaining a healthy outdoor environment. Recently, as Spring approached I felt compelled to freshen the space and fill the feeders. In the past, my feathered friends have consisted of doves, sparrows, and finches. Occasionally I would see the Boston Oriole fly by, but he never would make himself at home on my cozy balcony. And then came that one day, when just one showed up for a quick snack and a refreshing drink. I saw it out there and it caused me to leave my committed chair for a pause in my thoughts. “I was hoping you would stop by.”

This morning as the day was breaking I made my customary visit to the French Doors and lo and behold he wasn’t alone. Apparently, he told his friends and family. There was not one Boston Oriole, but three. He shared his bounty find.

And here it is – here comes the analogy. I think about those birds out there that hunt, peck, and forge. Their entire lives are spent looking for food, water, and shelter. And how they live is because others of their kind share what they have found.

And so it is true with the Word of God. When you find it, you share it. People hunt and peck and scrounge on a dry and thirsty land and suddenly you find a balcony that is rich with a feeder and a fresh basin of water and you go there and see that it is good.

If you have found a balcony, do not be silent. Love tells. Be the someone who tells.