Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Cheryl Boardman
Monday, July 31, 2023
I found this feather lying in the grass a couple of weeks ago. I’m not sure what bird it came from, but feathers are pretty amazing when you look at them close up. Some feathers appear more decorative (ostriches and peacocks come to mind) and some are purely for function and some can be for both!
I like this poem by Emily Dickinson:
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
—Emily Dickinson
Hope is the thing that keeps us going. Without hope, life can be very bleak. David also wrote about hope and talked about how God was his only hope (and ours too):
Hurry with your answer, GOD!
I’m nearly at the end of my rope.
Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me!
That would be certain death.
If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice,
I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you.
Point out the road I must travel;
I’m all ears, all eyes before you.
Save me from my enemies, GOD—
you’re my only hope!
Teach me how to live to please you,
because you’re my God.
Lead me by your blessed Spirit
into cleared and level pastureland.
Psalm 143:7-10 (The Message)