Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
These images are unique and need a bit of explanation.
A week ago, a crow left this chicken bone in our water feature in our garden. At first glance, it felt very intentional, almost like an offering or gift. Naturally, I wanted to return the favor and added a couple of shiny objects (aluminum foil) where the crow could retrieve them. A returned gesture, a shared understanding.
The crow didn’t return to take the gift.
What if I was wrong? I didn’t know for certain that the crow left the bone for me, as a reward. What if instead the crow just didn’t want it anymore and left it like trash?
In fact, there was no specific signal. There was confirmation or relationship built around continual exchanges. Maybe it was just a picked-over chicken bone in my water feature. I was the one that created the story. I made the decision of its meaning.
Proverbs 3:5:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Have you ever had a moment when something showed up in your life — an opportunity, a conversation, a setback — and you immediately labeled it as a sign, a blessing, or God clearly telling you something? I’ll be the first to admit, I know I have.
Don’t get me wrong, there are times God does want to tell us something, He does provide opportunities and there will be setbacks that will allow us to move forward, in the correct direction. How do we know which is a gift and which is life just happening? The easiest answer is — our relationship with Jesus.
In my scenario with my mystery crow, what if I had been out in the garden, watching the crow swoop down and leave the gift – cawing – with their excitement to interact and “communicate” with me. What if I had taken the time to fully understand their intention?
It’s no different than our relationship with Jesus. Pausing, to interact, to listen and to fully understand. The truth would be revealed — I wouldn’t need to guess or create my own story. No, it would be clear. The opportunity, the setback, the message — I would know what and how I should approach the gift that was presented to me.
I encourage you to pray for wisdom and patience, and “….lean not on your own understanding.” Amen.