There is a point when the morning mist is lifting and the night hunting is done. The apex predator can double as a watchful guard over its territory.

When we were camping in Tahoe a few weeks ago, I had a unique experience watching a red tailed hawk and a raven. The hawk amazed us with a silent maneuver the day before dipping between two redwoods to adjust for his full wing span and skillfully moving past us in our campsite at full speed.

The last day, I was making sandwiches for our lunch. A large raven sat cloaked on the Sugar Pine tree towering above me. Whenever I see ravens, I’m reminded of God’s provision for Elijah and remember they also gather when something needs to be cleaned up (as in dead animals).

Generally, I will ask God if it’s a sign that something of my “old” nature needs to “die”. For example, fear of people’s opinions, jealousy or envy for things I don’t need, etc. Just recently, I started calling ravens the “dirty birds” when we experienced a pair of them visiting our birdbath daily for a month. No kidding, they also kill other birds and we would have to clean the carcass out of the bath.

All of a sudden, there was such a racket directly overhead that I looked up to see the hawk and raven engaged in a squabble not once, but twice. I saw that the hawk really did include our campsite as part of its territory. He successfully drove out the “dirty bird”.

To me, it was God’s whisper to my heart assuring me that I’m in His territory and He will be protecting me from the “dirty birds” around me.

My father set an ancient landmark, which was his parent’s property that he inherited on Wilderness Road. #40acres Although I don’t own that land, the memories of growing up there always remind me of the beauty of God’s inheritance for me.

In the passage below, I “remember” not to move this landmark, by allowing the fears of corruption in the world to change my trust in our Lord and Savior for His provision (aka…Do as my dad did).

I’ve developed skills in my work to: 1.Recognize when I’m stressed 2. Counteract the negative effects with deep breathing 3. Spend time each day building myself back up (exercise/prayer/Bible reading, nutritious food, positive social interactions/Bible study with other women, nature time, enjoying “with love” my responsibilities, and journaling).

This may seem small and obscure. Believe me, it’s no small thing. Someday, when I stand before the King of kings, I will rejoice to hear HIS voice calling me. -Teresa

Proverbs 22:28-29English Standard Version*

²⁸ Do not move the ancient landmark
that your fathers have set.
²⁹ Do you see a man skillful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.

*OneyearBibleonline