April 18 – Ruffed Grouse – Fearless

Walking down a path on the North Shore, I hear the familiar sound of a grouse drumming nearby. Drumming peaks in April and May across northern Minnesota and the Lake Superior region. Each male maintains a drumming log within his territory and may use it for years. It’s both a mating call and a warning to rival males.

Each spring, the ruffed grouse lifts its wings and sends a deep, rolling drumbeat through the quiet forest. After enduring long northern winters of cold and scarcity, he emerges not weakened, but ready to declare life and territory with bold confidence. That accelerating rhythm — soft at first, then strong and steady — signals that the season has turned, much as faith calls us to emerge from hardship with new trust in God’s promises.

His display is a reminder that resilience is often forged in silence. In our own lives, God works in quiet seasons, building perseverance and hope. When the time is right, faith moves us to proclaim what God has brought us through, turning survival into testimony.

“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” — Proverbs 28:1

As I stood there close by, this bird stood fearless, driven by a force that overcame fear. What are your fears today? Consider bringing them honestly to Christ; trust that He is near and willing to give you the courage you need.