Sapsuckers and Servants

Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker is not only a fun word to say it is the best way to giggle at us birdwatchers. My friend would say, “Hey, did you see a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker today WaaHaHa!” Then I would reply, “Yes” and they would look at me funny as if I were making the whole thing up. Sapsuckers do exist though, drilling different size holes in all sorts of trees that provide sap. They work like crazy so they will have enough of a food supply for migration this time of year in Illinois. Sapsuckers also provide food for many other birds with all their hard work. Spring warblers often take sips from the drilled holes of the sapsuckers. Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds may come up a little to early for most blooms relying on the holes dripping with sweet sap. Orioles also love it and it can provide for them too. I have to say without the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker many other birds would have a harder time in the early spring.

I hope Christians can take the Sapsuckers hard work to heart. Many people cannot make it through the early spring of their lives without a little help. They have just gone through a hard spell of winter and need a little sweetness to get through. Sometimes just a kind word or a prayer can help. Serving at a shelter or help watch some families children for a day. Some folks need some groceries bought for them while they are waiting for some money to come in. Hopefully as Christians our work will overflow to help others while we migrate through this thing called life. Because without love for others its kind of pointless. Why would we want to save all that sweet sap for ourselves when we can help other lives by sharing God's blessings.