Down but Not Out
Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Psalm 55:6 (NIV)
Every so often, a bird will fly into the window next to the feeders. It is a recognizable sound. I always stand and peer down at the ground to see what kind of bird had the inaccurate vision problem. Sometimes they fly away and sometimes Michael takes them out into the woods to let nature take its course. Virginia Ruth (All God’s Creatures) shares a message that we all need to think about.
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THWACK! I was washing our car. All the while I was cleaning it, I had heard the squawk of two orioles fighting over territory. It was during one of those aerial fights that one dived into the car window.
“Oh no!” I cried. I looked at the ground, and the bird just lay there. What should I do? I remembered that there was a nearby bird sanctuary and called them. The volunteer rescuer was very calm and helpful over the phone.
“Just let the bird be. If the bird doesn’t move in about an hour, then call me back. You might have to bring it in.”
I went back outside, not wanting to disturb the bird, but it hadn‘t moved. I returned inside, tried to get involved in another project, and then returned to check on the bird. I continued this for a while, all the time praying that in one of my checks, the bird would be gone.
Sure enough, almost exactly an hour from the time the bird hurt itself, it was gone and had flown away.
The bird reminded me of the time our dear friends received devastating news that her husband had ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). They were shocked and stunned. The husband sent out an email to his friends and asked that we let them be for a while until they processed through the situation. While we waited, we prayed and allowed our friend to go through their grieving process as they faced a changed future.
It took some time, but eventually, after processing the situation, they were able to discuss it with friends. Just like the oriole, they needed time to regroup.
Anyone may be downed by life’s circumstances. Sometimes all we need is time to seek God and process with Him the plan He has for us.
Gracious God, thank You that You have plans for us. May we turn to You when life circumstances knock us down. May You lift us up with renewed hope. AMEN.