Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Kookaburras - His eye is on them...

When asked what I'd miss about Australia if I ever had to live overseas, two things immediately come to mind.

Ghost gums 
I can't imagine what it would be like not to have ghost gums 'right here' where I can admire them every day.
You can see the photos I took of these narrow limbed, white barked, ghost gums along the bank of the Ross River last month in THIS  blog post, or be satisfied here with one of my favourites...


And secondly,  Kookaburras. 
They are my favourite of all birds, the ones I never tire of listening to or watching. I would truly be displaced if they were not camped aloft the power lines, or perched along my fence, laughing at the world as their gaze sweeps across the view below.

This past week Mr E and I have continued to go downhill with the flu, which has surprised us as we live a intentionally healthy life. Days and nights of pain, congested heads and chest, restless fevers and swollen glands - it kind of saps the life out of a person, and whilst we've been waiting for this to pass I'm afraid I've had some emotional collapses when it all got too much.
You see, my Mum died when I was 3; Nana took over the reins till I was 13, then I looked after her. 
By 15 I was homeless, and by 17 I was a mum. For 38 years I've been the one doing the 'looking after' of others.
Then a couple of days ago, weary from being sick, I let the need to have a mum take care of me bring me to tears, and did I ever feel sorry for myself. I had the woes real bad.
I called out to God to care. To show me His care.

Now, we rarely see kookaburras here in town. And they really are incredibly special to me.
On Monday morning I was up before dawn, hot mug of honey lemon tea in my hand, and my Bible open waiting to be read as soon as the sun's first rays came over the horizon to light the dining table.
I was so weary from tossing and turning all night, and the swollen glands and razor throat wouldn't ease. As the sun rose and the blue sky appeared, tears once more pricked at my eyes and the woes returned...but then I heard them...the laughing of kookaburras.

Just outside my front door is a power pole, and right at the top there they were, two beautiful birds, laughing for me...



Grabbing my camera, I sat out on the front porch and just clicked away, my heart bursting at the joy these birds had so suddenly brought to me...



When they flew away a little while later all I could think of was Matthew 10:29-31 ~

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." 

I knew those kookaburras were there by the hand of God to remind me that He is, was, and always will, be watching over me with love. As awful as I felt, He was right there in it all with me, and He'd carry me through it. 
I know that when we are ill and in pain, over time, it wearies us - and I was still caring for Blossom and Mr E (both being sick as well) through my own illness. Having that special moment with the kookaburras meant more to me than I can say, and gave my spirit the lift it needed to keep going.

On Tuesday morning I rose very early again, brewed some lemon tea in the pot, and went to fetch my Bible.  As I looked out at the  grey clouds looming over the skyline, I let out a little prayer - "Please, may I see them again?" 

I turned to get a mug from the cupboard, and was just about to pour my tea when I heard it...the laughing...


 One lone kookaburra. Sent for me. With love from my Father.


I'm still sick. In fact, Mr E and I get worse each day. The only thing we can do is let it run its course.

But I am not alone. He cares for me more than many kookaburras.
And He cares for you, too.

PS: If you have never heard a kookaburra laughing, watch THIS short video. It's just a few seconds, so go on...

hugs,



31 comments:

MissesStitches said...

So sorry that you're still sick, Jenny, and even feeling worse. Wish I could come around with a meal for you. The kookaburras are quite cute birds. Then I watched the video and couldn't help but chuckle. They really do sound like they are laughing! I hope you can find some more to laugh about real soon. (Have any funny dvds to watch?) Feel soon better, sweetie.

Kriza said...

Poor you, I hope you get better soon now!
I LOVE kookaburras, I always loved listening to them while living in Sydney, they are so funny and sort of human for me.
Feel better soon now!!!

Tammy said...

Oh I am sad to hear you and Mr. E are still ill. That is not good at all. The flue is such a miserable illness. My children had it one time a few years back. Wish I was close by. I would bring you a pot of my homemade chicken noodle soup. Full of onions, garlic, celery and carrots...All so good for you and full of immunity boosters.

Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures said...

Feel better soon!

Baa. xxx said...

God is so good! He knows how to show his love in the midst of life - what a smile those cheeky birds must have bought to your heart! Arohanui Karen

Robin in New Jersey said...

(((((Jenny))))) Prayers for all of you. Much love. Keep the faith.

Christina said...

Hope you both feel better soon. Cute birds, have never seen one before.

Cindy said...

I truly hope you are feeling better soon!

Jenny said...

Our families have been going camping to the same Lake for 40 years for Easter and we've continued the tradition however we've missed the last two. My good friend and I attended the Easter Outdoor Dawn service by the lake. At the end of the service which was lovely - we witnessed a young man being baptised in the lake. We both had tears in our eyes. I've been struggling with my faith for a while now so this and the kookaburra story are truly gifts from his Grace. I hope you feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

Oh Jenny, such a moving post, brought tears to my eyes, sickness can make us feel very emotional and vulnerable, guess it affects entirely when one is so physically ill. Its good you have your special Mr E and Blossom close by for a hug, but the thoughts and memories would be there to appear at times. Hope you get comfort from the good times and those precious years with your Nan, it must have been hard on her losing her daughter so young too but a blessing having you to care for her in her later years. After that to have been out on the street, tough life for a very young woman, a girl really, would make you appreciate so much in life, your own family along with your faith bringing you comfort and of course your creative gifts. I also love kookaburras and feel they do bring messages (butterflies special too), and I have photographed the occasional one or pair or small group on a clothes line or back fence, they are truly beautiful birds and we are so blessed to hear them in our area on occasions, more recently than in past years, and have the odd one or two perch on our back fence, we back onto a high school ground and a creek/storm water outlet close by which has lots of trees and bushes. Your photos are lovely, they are feel good to look at. Hopefully it means you and Mr E are about to turn the corner with this dreaded flu and hopefully you will be immune from such a severe case for some time, as you say you have a very healthy diet anyway. Sending get well wishes and hugs,
Judithann :-)

Anonymous said...

Dear Jenny and all- So sorry to hear you are all ill. Emotions seem to attack us in our weakend bodies. Wish I was handy to bring you a pot of chicken soup! I'm sure that God did send those birds as messengers of His love and to reaffirm what His word says."Lo, I am with you always and I will never leave you or forsake you" Blessings on you all. Inez Jones

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Bless you, Inez...love that Scripture; thank you for reminding me. xx

Little Quiltsong said...

Thank you for the uplifting post and for the beautiful video. It just makes a person laugh - you are right!!

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Oh Jenny, {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}...
I've just sat here and prayed for you, prayed for 'kookaburra miracles'. Our Father holds your precious sweet self in the palm of His mighty hand, and His miracles are endless, and always given to us 'where we are at'...I am praying that He gives you special miracles that speak deep into your own dear heart and remind you of the depth of His love for you. Always. xxx

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Dear Judithann, such a lovely comment to read. Thank you. xxx
PS: My nana was my father's mother...and one of the most beautiful women you'd ever meet. :-)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

They are "happy" birds, Sigi! :-)

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Despite your hard beginning, you have risen above, with the help of God. I can understand, when you are that sick, wanting your mother, even at our age.

Anonymous said...

Dear Jenny, what a blessing you both must have been to each other your father's mother and yourself, also your father knowing you would be so cared for and loved by such a special lady. My own late father was cared for and raised by his paternal grandparents on a farm in west Tasmania (he also had special relationship with his grandmother) after his mum died when he was 3 months old and his dad a mining engineer travelled for work and rarely saw his family. Your nana memories very special. Hugs xx, Judithann :-)

Anonymous said...

Dearest Jenny, so sorry to read you are all so sick - I too am suffering with this dreaded flu along with my 2 Grandsons :( Your post today put a smile on my face and made the day brighter for me. I know that My heavenly Father is with me always, but it made my heart sing when I read your scripture verse, I love how our God makes Himself known to us exactly when we need a touch from Him. xx

Judy1522 said...

So sorry that you are still ill, I will keep you and your family in my prayers. The Kookaburra has an amazing laugh and I see why it would be one of the things you would miss if you ever left Australia. Growing up we used to sing a song about a Kookaburra sitting in a gum tree now thanks to you I know what both look like.

Thoeria said...

What a moving post Jenny. My mum lost both her parents...a year apart...and was orphaned by the time she turned 5. She did not have a gran to raise her and the 5 kids (she was the youngest) were all split between different family members and raised in different parts of the country. I know that she still struggles with this loss...not only of her parents but also losing her brothers and sisters when she needed them most. I often wonder why bad things happen to good people..and bad people bask in the sunlight. Faith is such an amazing thing. I do hope you and Mr E and Blossom start feeling a whole lot better real soon xxx

Unknown said...

Thanks so much Jenny - these certainly are challenging times but I must remember to be grateful for them so I can truly appreciate the good ones. xxx

suz said...

oh sweetie - I'm so sorry you are so sick. It's so easy to get sad and have the saddest parts of our life become overwhelming. Fortunately you have a very strong faith ... which He obviously rewards. I hope you and your family start on the road to recovery soon. Thank you for linking the kookaburra's laugh - I've never seen one, much less heard one, but I know how you feel. I live in city, but every year a mockingbird moves into the neighborhood for the summer. Last year he/she was late and I thought perhaps that was the end of the visits until early one Sunday morning as I was having my coffee on the porch I heard his/her catalog of songs.

Michelle said...

Such a beautiful post. Than you for sharing. In my life I call these moments tender mercies

Ozjane said...

Take care and you are allowed to be low and grieve when the bodies defenses are down. I am so glad His grace is strong enough to hold us and to give us hope. I read last night of our hope being based in His grace. I like that because hope in most other things that are not of Him will desert us at some stage.

Dolores said...

I'm so glad that you mentioned that you would miss trees, along with birds. I love the green of trees and I would really miss them if I lived somewhere that they weren't in my view.
May you and your family get well soon.

Anonymous said...

Your words were so beautiful and so true. God takes care of us. I was all of your family get well wishes !!!!

Anonymous said...

Hope you all feel better soon. I love how God shows us His love in little ways.

Deb Fox-McHugh said...

I had never heard a kookaburra until that video. Thanks for that! So glad that God sent you that little sign! Feel better!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you are still sick, all of you. Thank you for sharing your feelings and your prayers and the kookaburra laughs. How could one hear that and not smile? One of the first songs I remember learning in school was Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree. I loved that song!

Anonymous said...

Love the kookaburras . Had never heard of them before. Get well soon , Jenny.