Heidi Viars

The path was covered in snow and undisturbed by humans. Only animal tracks were visible. Then a set of tiny foot prints caught my eyes. A small bird had been here before me. His small frame had pushed its tracks gently in the snow and now drew my eyes to follow. It reminded me of Christ’s tender dealings with us and His kindness and love toward us – how His humility and kindness draws us to follow Him.

Then, as I was heading back home in my car, I saw a goose sitting in the snow, unusual for this time of year here. The lakes are still all frozen and food is spares. I had noticed here several weeks ago nearby. I stopped and rolled down the window to get a picture.  She looked hurt – and then I saw him. As she got up to walk away, frightened by me, he walked up and followed her, making sure she was safe. I was stunned how even geese know that the hurt can’t do it on their own. He must have stayed behind with her when the whole flock left months ago.

This display of the animal’s kindness was another humble reminder how we need to be there for one another, especially when everyone else is going different places!

Philippians 2:1-11

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant^, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.