Scarecrow Finds A Home

“We must all make do with the rags of love we find flapping on the scarecrow of humanity.”  
― Angela Carter, Nights at the Circus

‘Tis the season to fashion a scarecrow, and we did so on our outing with our granddaughter, but we aren’t counting on him to actually scare away any birds as we clearly only have him for the fun of it!

Traditionally scarecrows were charged with keeping the crows out of the corn. They were the best kind of laborers, uncomplaining no matter the weather or working conditions.   Today, however, you are more likely to see a scarecrow relaxing on a porch swing or adorning a fall scene in the yard.  Ours is keeping watch by the front door.

Our little dog Hillary is undoubtedly not impressed with the scarecrow, as when he came home with us she showed her displeasure with him from the get go with barking and growling, very uncharacteristic of her normal behavior!  We found it quite amusing.  Maybe she is jealous that he is taking over her job of making sure no one gets in that front door unnoticed!

I suppose after the fall décor comes down and is replaced with Christmas embellishments, scarecrow can take his rightful place in the yard in preparation for his next assignment, watching over the spring garden…a job I highly covet!

The Urban Dictionary describes a scarecrow as “a protector; a legend; In the year 1589, the ancient tribes of Northern Africa spoke of a man that stood in the fields of rice to protect it from predators and evil spirits. It is believed, according to the legend, that the man had no name and no family. He was an orphan of Great Africa, his mother the sky and his father the nature below.  According further to the legend, when the moon was high and bright and the wind was nothing but a "calm breath," the ghosts of past warriors from enemy tribes would come out of their resting places and attack the rice fields. The "Scarecrow Man," as he was later to be known as, would fight them off.”

I don’t know about you, but I have tried everything EXCEPT a scarecrow to keep the birds outs of my garden.  I tried hanging old, shiny CDs from fishing line, brightly colored spinning wheels, putting birdseed in another part of the yard to lure them away, sending Hillary out to chase them off, and actually chasing them off myself!  I think the birds of today must have higher IQs than the ones that scarecrows or even CDs discouraged, as I always find some pecking away amidst all the scare tactics.

What in your life serves as your protector when the birds fly in to steal away your harvests?  Happiness, joy, loving relationships, peace, security…and love, a few things potentially in jeopardy because of the evil one who seeks to deceive and destroy.  God wants to be your protector, a love that surpasses all understanding is available to those who believe and have faith in Him.  Psalm 18:2 says “God is our protector.”  Not only does the Bible say just that, it also says:  God strengthens us and rescues us., 2 Timothy 4:17-18, God protects us from evil., 2 Thessalonians 3:3, God protects us while we are being tempted., 1 Corinthians 10:13, God protects us from our enemies., Psalm 56:9, God protects us from danger., Psalm 91:3-7, God protects us until disaster has passed., Psalm 57:1, God is always protecting us., Psalm 121:3-8, God's protection never leaves., Joshua 1:5, God's protection is reassuring., Isaiah 41:10, God's protection is powerful., John 10:28-30, God's protection is necessary., Psalm 124:1-5.

Nothing scary about that!