Thank you for your prayers for us. Through those prayers, God has been moving in a special way in our lives. There has been a definite change in expectation and faith since the arrival of the turtle doves (There are two of them now.). By sending them, God has empowered us to fix our eyes on Him and His Word instead of the problems all around us. Not only have they been a sign of the time of fulfillment of so many promises, but have provided a beautiful picture of the relationship God desires to have with us as His children.

A few weeks ago, we set an old plastic cloth on our picnic table and put it just beyond our sliding glass doors as a feeding station for the wild birds. My bedroom has since become a fascinating observation post as hundreds of doves, sparrows and finches stop by, often bringing their young and feeding them before my eyes. I have noted several responses both to the provisions and to my presence on the part of the birds. Knowing that I am nearby, some are so afraid that they hang back and only watch the others partake. Most of the partakers, while very happy about the food, are either unaware of the source or totally untrusting of me and my intentions toward them. In fact, if I appear on the scene, they flee. Some wait on branches to see the door open but scream angrily at me while I am in view, waiting to partake until I have sufficiently retreated. Although I wish it were otherwise, I am still glad to provide for them and enjoy seeing them and caring for them anyway.

But the greatest delight has been the turtle doves. They not only recognize the source of their provisions but seem to desire a relationship with me. They not only watch for me but actually "ask" for me to come by parading on the table or hovering at the door, sometimes even tapping on it to get my attention. I am absolutely delighted by their trust and boldness. When I open the door, they prance around, make eye contact and run to eat while I am right there. Afterwards they often linger on the table, apparently just to be near me. They roost very close to the patio when they are not directly in my presence. Because of all of this I have become expectant concerning them. I find myself watching for them, planning special treats for them, hurrying to them when they call and defending them if other birds try to drive them away. My ear is always attentive to their voice, but not because I favor them over the others. I would love to have the same relationship with all the birds. But the turtle doves are the only ones that will let me near enough.

Have you ever wondered why some of God's children always seem to have His attention and an awareness of His presence? The Bible says God is no respector of persons. It also says we were created for His good pleasure. But what is it that gives Him pleasure what is it that brings His response? Do you ever think of God longing after you, lonely for you, watching for you, waiting for you and planning for you? Isaiah 30:18 (amplified) says "And therefore the Lord earnestly waits expecting, looking and longing to be gracious to you, and therefore He lifts Himself up that He may have mercy on you and show loving kindness to you.... blessed are all those who earnestly wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him." How He longs for trusting hearts and especially companionship. He desires to do so much more for us than what we usually allow Him to do. In II Chronicles 16:9 we are told "for the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose heart is blameless toward Him." The table of the Lord is set before us as His children. But how often do we just want the provisions and not the Provider? How often do we find ourselves in need yet hesitating to ask because we don't know His heart and therefore have no boldness to expect anything from Him? How infrequently, after being fed do we linger just to be near Him?

How sad Jesus must have been when He wept over Jerusalem saying, "How often I would have gathered your children together .... but you would not". (Luke 13:34) Sometimes as I watch the birds I wonder which kind I look like to the Lord. I really want to be like the turtle dove, don't you? For God is calling to His children saying, "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Oh, my dove, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet and your face is lovely." (Song of Sol. 2:14) Let us joyfully respond, "My Beloved is mine and I am His!" (Song of Sol. 2:16) How tender and precious He longs to be to us.

And so we pray for you that you will have a deeper revelation of His heart and also come by experience to know how very great His love is towards you. May you be given boldness to come before the Lord and to expect good things from Him. And may the Lord give us all blameless hearts that allow Him to show Himself strong in our behalf to the glory of His precious Name. We continue to thank God for you and all that you mean to us and appreciate you and all that you have done to be a blessing in our lives.