This bright yellow finch has been uninvited at the bird feeder time and time again. Yet, never gives up. The determination is contagious. A downy woodpecker has decided to make this perch his own. The finch is making a way to find what he desperately seeks. I want to help him, all I can do is provide the seed and let him do the rest. We all have our own wilderness moments when something is blocking your movements. The best news is that we have a God who is doing a new thing, making a way. Don’t we see it? Sometimes the downy woodpecker moments in my life blind me to the springs and the streams that God lovingly has given. This morning I think of those in my life that are helping me see these springs when I all can see is wilderness.

Recently, I have been reading Nehemiah and although the situation before him seemed bleak and wilderness-like he assumed the leadership call God gave him. He led the people to rebuild and make a new way. He trusted God with the outcome. I wrote down qualities in Nehemiah that struck me: God-fearing, well planned and prepared, feared God not man, not impulsive, honoured the king and queen, honest, forthright, had fortitude, generous, wise, God first, caring, patient and trusting. He waited on God to make a way.

Our family loves the watch the Kendrick Brothers movies. In Facing the Giants there a great scene on the football field that the coach calls out to remind the players with two words, stone wall. He was reminding them to come together and build. That is what we all need, people around us so we can build our own stone walls. Here is a preview of the movie.