He gave me a kingfisher

I had a walk by the river yesterday.  After a chilly start, the sun, though hazy, had some welcome warmth in it – the promise of Spring to come.

The birds obviously thought so!  The mallards on the river were cruising in pairs, the drakes very smartly dressed: fluorescent orange feet, shiny-conker chestnut breasts, glossy emerald heads.  A yellow wagtail was foraging busily among the mossy stones by the water’s edge.  The bushes were alive with the twittering of smaller birds - robins, blue tits, great tits, wrens, chaffinches….

And then a special moment.  An unmistakable flash of iridescent, electric blue as a kingfisher flew out from the bank just ahead of me and darted off down river.

It’s always a joy and a privilege to see the beauty and diversity of God’s creation, but a moment like that is always, for me,  a gift of love straight from my Father’s heart to mine.

Come, let us sing of a wonderful love,

Tender and true;

Out of the heart of the Father above,

Streaming to me and to you;

Wonderful love

Dwells in the heart of the Father above.

                                                Robert Walmsley

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!  Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

                                                                                                Psalm 36:7