“To be filled with joy by a bird’s beautiful song is to be rooted firmly in the simple life, able to embrace the gifts that are there for each of us,” April Peerless. This quote perfectly sums me up. If I still had a unicycle I’d hope on it and petal off into the glorious sunset following a Vatican of cardinals to the heavens.

Been perched in the porch swing after supper enjoying the birds and the first misty magical shadows of approaching dusk. The sunset was a twilight pageant of golden honey light as the sun walked quickly down the horizon escorted by Father Sky. Saw an Eastern bluebird when I first sat down on the swing, such handsome birds with their dark blue coats and rusty reddish vests. I had just copied some quotes down and was reminded of one by Henry David Thoreau — “The bluebird carries the sky on its back.” What a beautiful description of the bluebird. I’ll always remember this quote when I see a bluebird.

A fat mockingbird, dressed in formal tuxedo of gray and white, is performing, singing his heart out from the top of a tall fir tree across the street. Mockingbirds have 200 arias in their song book. They mimic all kinds of sounds — other birds, car horns, dog whistles, animals, squeaking gates…. I counted 23 solos then stopped because I forgot what the first song sounded like. I count their songs often but never get past 17 or so. The neighborhood cats have killed so many of the mockingbirds in my yard the mockingbirds now stay away.

The sun seemed to be smiling straight down on my yard today from her deep blue sky canvas, blindingly bright, beautifully filtering her rays through the spring green leaves of the old water oak. The Lord, like the sun, is the giver of life. God clothes us with the sunshine warmth of his love and grace. We walk in the sun of God’s love, seeking knowledge of our faith. Without the sun’s rays earth would perish. Without the loving warmth of God’s love our souls would perish.

The sun brings light and warmth to the earth. The Lord’s grace brings light and joy to our lives, comforts us when the days are dark. Psalms 19:4-6 says “the sun is likened to a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, bringing joy and warmth as it travels across the sky.”

By being followers of Christ we give light to people around us. We grow through the sunshine of our faith and spread the light of our faith to others when they’re in dark places. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others.” We walk in God’s light step by step with him. He lights our path and saves us from the darkness of the faithless.

“Be simple enough to feel the true joy of life.” —Debasish Mridha