I have a special love for hawks. Years ago, I was on a worship walk and saw a hawk making “lazy circles in the sky.” It was during a tough time in my life and as I watched that hawk circling overhead, I heard God speak His love into my soul. Ever since then when I see a hawk circling in the sky, I remember God’s love and I thank him for His loving care.

Wednesday, July 25, I had labs and other tests done in anticipation for my July surgery. A few of them came back stamped “abnormal.” I won’t know until tomorrow’s per-operative appointment how or if those “abnormals” will affect me going forward. I just know that seeing that made me a little nervous.

The next day, Thursday, July 26, following prayer at church, I headed to St. Luke’s to pick up two prescriptions. On the trip over there and home I spotted six different hawks circling in the sky. By the time I spotted the last one, I was laughing and thanked God – “Thank you, LORD, I get it – You do love me. I don’t have to worry any more about the ‘abnormals.’”

Then I heard God speak Nahum 1:7 into my soul: “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” [NLT]

The world is ripe with “abnormals.” They assault our peace whenever they get the chance. But thankfully we serve a LORD who is good, a LORD who is a strong refuge when those “abnormals” come. He draws close to us. And the hawks – the birds of the air – remind us of His faithful love.