After this past week’s winter storm, when the temperatures had plummeted, I noticed some birds outside flying around. My first thought centered around this idea of them freezing to death. So, I looked it up under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and found out that they are fully equipped for this kind of weather. I read where birds have feathers under their outer feathers that insulate their bodies. They have a higher metabolic rate than we humans, so they burn more energy to stay warm.
Birds have scales on their feet and legs that minimize heat loss. They have blood vessels in their legs and feet that warm their blood that returns to their bodies. Birds also store fat in the fall to use as fuel during the winter.
It is God who created them and equips them, and the scriptures tell us that this same God provides food for them.
Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them”.
This same section of scripture reminds us that God also provides for us. It says, “Are you not much more valuable than they?” “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” As I thought on these things it reminded me of how important it is for us to thank the Lord for the shelter, the heat, and the warm clothes that we are able to take advantage of.