Essentially Speaking

 As I’ve written before, there is no end to the garden to-do list. It’s a constant challenge to keep the list from dominating my life, and I fail on a regular basis. Some things are just essential. But essential is often subjective. Just this morning, in the middle of an essential task, I thought: How essential is this? Dove-proofing bird feeders—really? That must be the most nonessential thing in the world. But bear with me while I explain why it is essential to me.

First, how and why do you dove-proof a bird feeder? Keeping doves from perching on the feeder requires an inventive thinga-ma-jig. Looking at the online find-anything shopping site, I had found what they call “dove guards”. They were either pricey or not quite what I had in mind, but I did get some ideas. I needed a barrier that wouldn’t allow them to get close enough to eat the seed. It was also “essential” that they look attractive. I’ve modified both wire and rattan baskets to fit over the feeders. The weave has to be large enough for small birds to get through, small enough to keep doves out. That’s the essential task I was working on.

To me, all life (except rats and roaches) is wondrous, but birds, butterflies, and cats have a special place in my heart. That means I have a lot of bird feeders that need to be filled often. You could say I’m helping God care for the sparrows? I buy seed in forty pound sacks and try to get the more nourishing kind with a minimum of milo, which is basically filler. Since good seed is expensive, I shop around and buy various kinds to add to the pre-made mix. It’s essential that I manage the feeding of the birds wisely, if I don’t want to spend a ridiculous amount on birdseed every month. I love all the birds, including the doves, even though they are gluttons and bullies. They intimidate the smaller birds, and they are also insatiable.

Right now, nine bird feeders are scattered throughout the garden. I divide a large cup of a fruit and nut mix specially for bigger birds among two platform feeders. They can also eat anything that spills on the ground. Three of the feeders are built so doves can’t perch on them or they have a protective wire covering. Doves continually try to feed from the other four and can demolish the contents in one day. That’s a bit much.

I love the copper feeder I bought at Tuesday Morning several years ago on sale for $17 (original $65 if you can believe that!). It hangs close to my kitchen window, next to a blue mosaic feeder, sending a shimmering reflection inside when the sun is right. Another favorite feeder I bought at an estate sale. It’s a unique antique—bell-shaped, blue hand-blown glass with a copper tray that screws on. The last one is similar but it’s a simple shape, clear glass. They’re beautiful and functional, but they are not dove-proof.

Which brings me to this morning's essential task: Is it essential? To be a good steward of finances, wise and not wasteful, fair to the smaller birds, it’s essential to find some way to conserve seed and prevent the doves from eating excessively; and, if I want to keep using my unique bird feeders, it’s essential to modify them.

I chose to create a garden—a garden that I hope inspires awe for the One in Three, the Creator and Sustainer of Life. I chose this because God led me to it, giving me the desire and ability. It was a strong urge I couldn’t ignore, because listening to and obeying God is essential to me, more than anything else. Was it essential in the sense of life or death? Not physical life, but I believe it was essential to my spiritual life. It was an act of faith that has helped me to know and hear God better, and so, I consider my work in the garden essential because it’s an ongoing “mission”, if you will. Still…there is always the issue of balance: choosing the essentials in life.

Prayer: Help me see clearly, hear clearly, to do what you call me to do. Nothing more, and nothing less…that is truly essential.