For my birthday last year my husband and sons gave me a bird feeder with a camera attached.

The camera has a motion sensor that is activated when birds land to feed and then captures video of them eating. I have become enchanted with watching the videos. In the time that I have been using it, I have discovered that I have learned quite a bit about birds in general and more specifically, I have come to understand the unique characteristics of several individual birds. For example, I have learned that the timid, gentle titmouse is usually the first to arrive at the feeder in the morning, usually by around 4:55 a.m. The cardinals are usually the last to eat at the end of the day, around 8:05 p.m.

Throughout the day, the blue jays arrive first after I refill the feeder and disappear around 4 p.m. when our neighbor feeds the birds in her yard. I have come to expect that the cardinals will squawk at all other birds to clear the feeder so they can eat, while the catbird will wait patiently on a tree branch for others to finish before approaching the feeder.

As I watch all of this taking place throughout the day, I find myself often thinking of the passage of Scripture that assures us that God provides and protects us. I find myself humming the beloved hymn “why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, when Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.” Just as I am getting to understand and know the birds that visit the feeder in my yard, I am finding great comfort and peace with the daily feathered reminder that God’s eye is on the sparrow, and God’s hand is on me as well.

As I write this message, the heat is oppressive, and I am seeking respite in the air conditioning. As we journey through the changing seasons of life, we are reminded of the impermanence of our earthly circumstances. Just as the summer’s heat waves eventually give way to the refreshing coolness of autumn, so too do our personal trials and tribulations pass with time. However, amid these changes, there is one constant that remains steadfast and unchanging: the boundless love of God.

God’s Word provides us with countless reassurances of enduring love and faithfulness. In Lamentations 3:22-23, we read, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” These verses remind us that God’s mercy and love are renewed daily, offering us fresh hope and strength to face whatever challenges come our way.

This summer, we have experienced the relentless heat, seeking refuge in the shade, air conditioning, or the cooling waters of a pool or lake. This physical discomfort serves as a poignant reminder that no matter how intense our current struggles may be, they are temporary. We can take solace in the knowledge that just as the heat wave will eventually end, so will our hardships.

When we feel overwhelmed by life’s difficulties, let us remember the eternal promise of God’s love. Unlike the fleeting nature of our troubles, God’s love is everlasting. It is a firm foundation on which we can build our lives, knowing that God is always with us, guiding us, and providing for our needs.

The Central Congregational Church of Orange, United Church of Christ (UCC), is located at 93 South Main St. We currently offer three opportunities for worship. The first is a video worship service posted on YouTube, our church website CentralChurchOrange.com or on our church Facebook page. We offer a drive-in style worship at 9:15 a.m. in the church parking lot and a 10:15 a.m. service in our Sanctuary. Our Cellar Closet Thrift Shop is now open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, please call 978-544-6895, email Revmegan@aol.com and be sure to like us on Facebook!