This is the 24th of 25 special reflections based on lessons I learned from my mother. These will run from my birthday on October 27 until her birthday on November 20.
Read
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14
Reflect
My mother loved nature. One of the things I think she enjoyed most about her home near Marietta, Ga., was that it was nestled in a wooded area in the midst of a suburban community. Even though East Cobb is a bustling area, you’d never know that from within that house. For most of the year, there was a green, leafy blanket of trees that separated the home from the others that surrounded it, as well as from the road. And with trees came all manner of wildlife, including birds.
Mom loved birds, and she kept them well-fed throughout the year. One bird feeder was stocked with choice birdseed, and there were always bright red feeders filled with equally bright red sugar water to attract hummingbirds. There were times that Mom just relaxed by sitting on her back porch, watching the birds enjoy their feast.
One of the unfortunate aspects of her final bout with cancer was that she was mostly confined to a hospital bed in a room on the second floor, so she couldn’t see her beloved birds. My stepfather remedied this by hoisting a bird feeder on a pulley that was placed just outside her window. Once the birds discovered the new location, Mom was again united with her feathered friends.
That July, I went to my church – at that time, Mount Paran North Church of God – for their annual 4th of July celebration. They had people dressed as historical characters, mingling with and telling stories to people in the crowd. One of those was a friend of mine named Glenn, who was part Native American and who was dressed in traditional garb. Glenn knew about Mom’s situation and he sought me out to share a special blessing with me.
Glenn said that when Native Americans walked through the woods and saw a feather drifting on the breeze, they believed that the Great Spirit was nearby and was active in some way. He placed a little silver feather in my hand and asked me to share that story with my mother.
When I got home, I went to Mom’s bedside and told her Glenn’s story, and I placed the feather in her hand. Her eyes smiled and she said weakly, “I see feathers every day.” In the midst of the worst and most painful moments of her life, Mom was still able to see the Lord’s hand, even if it was in the simple presence of a feather.
We all go through pains and struggles, and it’s easy to think that we’re alone in some of those battles. But if we look for just a moment, we’ll always be able to see how the Lord is nearby and that we’re never truly alone. If you’re feeling desperate or abandoned, step back, take a deep breath and look for the feathers.
Reflection copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
