Attract – Our on-going thirst for God

Birdwatching is in my blood.  My mom was a voracious bird watcher and the little knowledge I retained, I learned from her.  I remember a particular quiet early morning when the two of us walked along our local railroad tracks.   Carrying our family binoculars, she was in search of some new feathered friends. How excited when we were rewarded with the sighting of an exquisitely blue Indigo Bunting.  At the time, I didn’t fully understand the attraction; but as an adult, it has stuck with me.  I loved to put out the homemade red sugar water for our backyard hummingbirds and sit by our kitchen window, waiting and praying the feeder would attract them.  Many times, I was rewarded with the flitting presence of these tiny creatures God created for my enjoyment.  I would be most diligent in preparing the nectar for my friends regularly, hoping they would continue to return.  Is it that way with us when it comes in our search for Jesus?  We do many things throughout our day through prayer and charity, hoping the nectar we’ve prepared will attract His presence.  Why then, when we think He isn’t showing up or we may not always feel that presence, our attraction remains?  I’m struck with the fact that my soul is thirsting always for Him.  I never want to give up.  And when there are times that I doubt my ability to attract Him, maybe I just need to pull out my family binoculars to bring into focus the fact that Jesus is always there.  Thank you, Jesus, for always pulling at my heartstrings.  Thank you for my hunger to never wanting to attract anything more beautiful than your love.  I pray that you will hold onto the word “attract” this week.  Never forget that each one of us has that special nectar that only God can satisfy.

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”        John 12:32