Harmless as Doves

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16

I tossed some corn on the cob over my banisters last week thinking the doves I see and hear in the yard might enjoy our left-overs. A while later I went back on the deck and scared a whole flock off the ground below. The thundering of the wings would have been scary to me had I not known what doves sounded like. 

Later as the sun was setting I heard them cooing as they perched on the powerlines for the night. A still mournful sound yet calming. Earlier this summer I heard a dove frantically cooing. I'd never heard that call in their repertoire. My nephew said the dove had lost its mate. They mate for life and when one mate dies the other makes a pitiful sound, a true mourning. 

Doves never cause harm to other animals or people other than maybe eating corn crops. Jesus' analogy to Christians to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves draws a great picture. A Serpent, a snake is a smart creature hiding and camouflaged until the moment it strikes so it gets you before you get it. May our witness be unexpected striking to the hearts of those endangered by a life apart from God. 

But doves are harmless. They make a lot of noise when they fly and may startle someone but they will not attack. They are mournful in their call, mated for life. In death uncomforted. May we startle the lost with our harmless, loving testimony and happy in our lifelong relationship with Christ. May we be mournful for the lost, pleading for them and with them in love. 

Blessings,

Gail

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Hey Kids:

Are you a bird watcher? Do you notice birdcalls when you're out playing or working in the garden? 
Do you have a bird feeder near a window? 
My bird feeder and a hummingbird feeder are near my kitchen window. 
Hummingbirds are harmless. They sound like a hornet attack but once you know what you're hearing they're fun to watch. 
They dart around the feeder, landing on the wire cage near it. 
The males fight with each other over the feeder.
They even make a chirping sound. 
I've had to offer them my broom as a landing spot in my carport and transport them quickly to the outside. They must think my red car is the biggest flower they've ever encountered. 

Jesus used doves and snakes to make his analogy. 
How could you make an analogy with hummingbirds or maybe lizards?
My dog once ate a blue-tail lizard and almost died. 
Are there other animals that impress you? 
How can you use the Lord's creation as a witness to others?
We'd love to hear from you.