feed the birds

Walt Disney's favorite song was "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins and it's always been a favorite of mine as well. In fact, I was completely shocked the other day when I heard that some very good friends of mine do not like that part of the movie and always fast forward through it. It made me very sad. Not only is the "Feed the Birds" song the crux and theme behind the movie, it seemed to be the theme of Walt Disney's life as well.

A recap: The song describes and the film depicts a very old bag lady sitting on the church steps in the middle of town. She's gathered crumbs and put them in bags to sale for just a "tuppence" for others to feed the birds. To many who pass her by it seems somewhat unnecessary, almost not important at all...but to the birds it means something totally different.

I had a pastor who after hearing a story or telling story would say, "I think there's gospel all over that." The older I've gotten, the more gospel there is to this old bag lady and her food crumbs for a tuppence. As a Christian, I believe I'm called to feed the birds...the least of these, to lend to those less fortunate, to be last, and to serve. Though crumbs are typically my left overs to others...they are meal, one shirt to a child in Moldova is their summer wardrobe, having someone to be excited about their first day of school is EVERYTHING to child who has been parent-less for most of their life.

So the next time you watch Mary Poppins...don't fast forward. The next time you are asked to give, don't ignore it...if you are called to go, go. I pray my heart is always willing to give. It's just a tuppence...feed the birds.

Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's
The little old bird woman comes
In her own special way to the people she call,
"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs;

Come feed the little birds,
Show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do
Their young ones are hungry
Their nests are so bare
All it takes is tuppence from you

Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag
Feed the birds," that's what she cries
While overhead, her birds fill the skies

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares
Although you can't see it, You know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares

Though her words are simple and few
Listen, listen, she's calling to you
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag"