"Wink'n, Sing'n, Red-Winged, Heaven Sent, Messengers"

     The "RUT" in which I find myself at this "moment" in life, is deep, and, it took me quite a while to slip and slide - all the way down in it, and, although, I "feel like" I'll never get out of it, I believe that "my precious Lord," shall get me out of it, in HIS, time and way!  It took, some bad decisions - without waiting for God's answers, leading, and, peace, etc., situations, circumstances, and the such, and then, step by step, slip and slide, etc., to get here, lying on this cold, hard, rock, bottom.  But, because HE has already delivered me out of many "ruts," in my past, I have confidence, that, HE shall not fail me this time, either!  The REALLY COOL FACT about this situation, is that, whenever I DO come out of this "rut/pit," I'm going to be better than ever on the inside, because, I am letting God make this happen in me, for HIS, honor and glory!  Once again, I struggled to get myself ready for 'Bible Study,' this evening, which, has become a part of this "rut."  However, as HE always does, whenever I ask, and LET HIM, 'The Good Lord,' helped me get ready, praying, pretty much the entire time, as I did my preparations for church, still dealing with anxiety, which is another component of this "rut." And then, as has happened many times since my dear uncle Gene passed away, a little over a year ago, God, lovingly, "winked" at me, again!  As I walked through the garage toward my car, I heard a bird loudly whistling a lovely song.  Immediately, I hoped that the song was coming from a 'Cardinal,' because, 'Cardinals' are supposed to be "Heavenly messengers," letting us know that angels are around us, who are using the birds as signs from our loved ones, who are with 'The Lord,' to convey, that, they love us, and, are thinking about us, etc.  Whether or not, this is a fact, I do not know, but, God has allowed me to see them at "just the right time," oftentimes enough, since Gene died, that, it is clear to my, spirit and soul, that these visits from my little, red-winged, "friends," truly are "Godwinks!"  I rarely saw, and/or, noticed them, before uncle's passing.  Another interesting factor to this scenario, is that, he LOVED birds, watched, fed them, and, he whistled A LOT!  Several other family members, have had these 'Cardinal' visits, often, since he passed, also!  There are an abnormal abundance of them, around our house, and, uncle Gene's House, this 'Spring and 'Summer,' also!  The timing, and, the close proximity, to us, in which they present themselves, is definitely not, random or coincidental!  So, back to "my singing red bird!"  I began looking around, trying to spot the culprit, and, to my surprise, I saw no birds, which is unusual.  But, I continued hearing the whistling, so, I looked up, from where it seemed to be coming, and, I saw, the brightest red 'Cardinal' that my eyes have ever beheld!  It took me a while to get settled in my car, so, I kept my windows down, so that, I could hear him sing.  That little darling, was still singing, as I drove off!  It was a very sweet visit for me!  Similar "Godwinks," with 'Cardinals,' have happened, many times, at just the "right" time, and, needed moment, to my, sister, mother, and nephew, with all of us being the people who are taking care of settling my, uncle and aunt's, estate!  My aunt had to move into a nursing facility, a couple weeks after Gene passed, due to having, 'Dementia.'  Of course, I thanked God for HIS "wink," as I headed to Church.  Now, back to being in "the rut of my life!"  I really dislike being in it!  However, as I thought about all of it, a couple days ago, it hit me, that if, I were not in this "rut," I would not have been, slowed down and contemplative enough, to listen to the desire within myself to even start a 'blog,' let alone, regularly, write and "share" posts, on it!  I truly believe that, 'The Lord,' wanted me to start a 'blog,' and, let HIM, lead me, as I, write and "share," posts, two times a week, instead of one a week, now!  I began writing one a week, and then, HE made it quite easy for me to write two a week, for the time being, anyway, so, that is what I am doing.  HE shall let me know, if/when, it is time for me to stop writing them.  These days, I am very careful, to try and allow God, to lead me, concerning what I choose, to do, and/or, not do, with a desire to please HIM, by doing HIS will, second by second!  Many times, I fail at accomplishing this, however, it comforts me, knowing that, HE knows my heart!  I want ALL of the glory, if there is any, to go to God!  I have, confidence and peace within, knowing that, it is HIS perfect timing for me to have this 'blog.'  Had I not come to this "rut," in which I presently find myself, I would still be too, busy, busy, busy, and my brain would be racing too fast, for me to be able to write one post, let alone, two, a week!  PTL!!  I'll try to continue to, write and "share" them, until the fountain runs dry!  The "thought" that is heavily weighing upon my, heart and mind, is that, many occurrences that people consider "coincidences," are actually, God's providential, deliverances, workings, winks, etc., in our lives!  Anymore, I don't even know if I believe that, there is such a thing as a "coincidence," with my beliefs being that God is, sovereign, always working, omnipresent, ministering through HIS 'Holy Spirit' and 'Angels,' and, perpetually answering the prayers of  'The Saints,' ETC.!  I find it tremendously, encouraging and comforting, understanding that, even the happenings in which I consider "BAD," GOD knows ALL about them, and, SOMETIMES has even sent them - for HIS providential purposes (1 Samuel 18:10a)!  I realize that many 'Christians' don't want to accept this truth about GOD, but, there are examples of this throughout 'The Bible!'  GOD is actually aware of, and governing - EVERYTHING!  Satan is on GOD'S leash, and only able to go as far as GOD allows (Job 1:12, Luke 10:19)!  'HIS WORD' tells us that HE is aware whenever each 'Sparrow' falls (Matthew 10:29-31), therefore, HE must also know where each 'Cardinal' is - at any given moment, and thus, I think it not too far fetched to write that, HE is perfectly capable of sending any of HIS 'Cardinals' to "wink" at whomever HE so desires, sending an unexpected blessing to him/her, and even to someone as insignificant as "little ole me," anytime and anywhere, HE wants!  So, I don't know about you, my friend, but, I'm continuing to be "on the lookout" for "my Father's" "winks" that may come from "red songbirds," and/or, anything or anyone HE chooses, to give me a little, loving, divine "nudge of encouragement," as I live in my present, temporary, "rut," and/or, after HE gives me the VICTORY, and I'm dancing on "the mountaintop!" Until next time...