Deep in the woods, a small, plump bird perches obliquely in the upper branches. Though its drab brown plumage includes a lighter breast marked with upside-down hearts, its appearance remains obscurely unremarkable. However, God gave it a wondrous gift!

Lilting songs filled with musical whistles and warbles fill the deciduous, mixed forests and gardens surrounding this undistinguished little creature. The Song Thrush starts singing in late winter and continues right through into June or July. They’re also one of the earliest birds to start singing in the morning, getting going at around 3 a.m. and then singing again at dusk.

I listened to this little bird on YouTube, and a commentary about the praise and adoration the Song Thrush offers to God—even adding “Holy, Holy, Holy” to its repertoire. Of course, secular scientists wouldn’t hear this praise. Still, to a Christ-following Birdier, the translation praises and worships its Creator.

A few weeks ago, feeling the dreariness of a rainy day, I pulled a reclaimed canvas from my studio closet. Although I covered an earlier attempt with gesso, a slight shadow remained that resembled a bird. Uninspired to paint anything else, the word “thrush” came to mind, so I checked YouTube, and as they say, “The rest is history.”

Somehow that unremarkable and forlorn-looking bird drew me into its up-side-down hearts. It sat alone, and I wanted to capture its song on this dreary day. Its song is anything but gloomy but gratefully reflects the joy of the LORD.

Painting the bird itself was daunting—trying to paint such detail with my trembling hands! Therefore, the painting took some time. One warm evening from my deck swing, I noted the western sky progressed from blue to pink to yellow. Ahhh, my picture—that’s what it needs! The colors transformed and contrasted beautifully with the little brown bird.

Another evening, I noted bright green leaves against dark evergreen growth, which inspired another step. It still needed something. Then, my grandson brought me a tiny, unbroken bird’s egg he found on the ground. But what does a nest of eggs illustrate? Of course, new life! Out of darkness and dreariness comes new life!

Today, I’m on a text thread with five nieces and three sisters. One niece’s long-COVID has continued to relapse over the last two years to the point of being in a wheelchair and too tired even to chew her food. The girls send scriptures to encourage one another, and today the long-COVID niece sent Psalm 18 to the rest of us. Out of her pain, weariness, and discouragement, she rises up in faith to proclaim, “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all tho take refuge in him…” and she continued to recite God’s praise.

Tears flood my heart and eyes as I think of the beauty of her song. Truly, praise born out of sorrow is more beautiful than any other. Heaven hears all our praises, especially those wrenched out of the stress and pain of life. Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”

We may feel obscure and unremarkable, but God gives us a wondrous gift—the resurrection power to praise, thank, and worship Him every day! Nothing is more remarkable, beautiful, or powerful!