Room to Fly
While walking to class early one spring morning, I was enjoying nature’s beauty as I strolled through the outside corridor of the school’s antiquated buildings. The Florida air had a hint of a semi-cool breeze, the morning dew still blanketed the ground, and the sky was washed with an artist’s palette of colors as the sun rose to meet the day.
It was upon this routine morning journey that my eyes were drawn to a slight movement to my left. I quickly glanced upward and there in the corner of the gated walkway I noticed a small, featherless bird. This bird looked as though it had recently hatched, but as I surveyed the area for a nearby nest, I saw none. I was quite puzzled because this newly hatched baby bird, partially covered with black fuzz, looked terribly out of place perched there on what appeared to be very unstable legs.
In a rush to get to class I left the bird, assuring myself that its parents were somewhere nearby and would surely take care of their young. As I walked to class the next morning, I was surprised to find this baby bird still there; perched in the very same corner it had occupied the day before. I once again surveyed the area for a possible parent, and I once again saw none.
My concerns for this seemingly helpless creature began to grow. What if this bird had been abandoned? What if it had no way to get food or drink? What if it was stuck in this gated corridor and the parents had no way to get to their young?
My mind raced with questions as I took a personal interest in this baby. I became fearful that if left unattended, it would surely die.
I made a point to pass by this corner several times throughout the day, and upon my last visit I stood and watched the baby bird as it continued to rest in its corner. I began to brainstorm about how I could get the baby down, or how I could gather food to feed it. My mind was well into the thought process when, for the first time, I heard a tiny chirping sound come from the small ball of fuzz. I then noticed a different chirping coming from a distance behind me. I listened carefully. The baby bird would make its small cry, and the distant chirp would echo back. The pattern continued.
My eyes followed the noise to a large oak tree about 20 feet or so away from where the baby bird was perched. Immediately, I knew that this young bird had not been abandoned after all. Nor was it left without food or protection. Its mother, or perhaps father, was at a distance keeping a protective eye on its offspring.
I smiled to myself, took one more glance at my fuzz ball friend, and walked away, leaving the baby bird to the care of its parents.
This situation made me think about our relationship with God. There are times in our lives we may feel as how I perceived the baby bird to be – alone, abandoned, left to fend for itself with no hope of survival. However, my perception of this baby bird was wrong, as is our perception of the seemingly hopeless situations we may find ourselves in.
The parents of this small baby bird, though not noticeably in sight, were at a distance keeping a watchful eye on their offspring. They were close enough to observe their young from afar and intervene if necessary; however, they were far enough away to give this baby bird the room it needed to grow, learn how to stand with stability on its once unstable legs, and eventually fly.
“He is always close enough to keep a watchful and protective eye on His children, yet just far enough away to give us enough room to grow, learn how to stand in faith, and eventually, just like the baby bird, learn how to fly.”
When we find ourselves in these times, feeling alone, abandoned, unloved, unprotected, and unsure of where our provision is coming from – we can be assured that God has not taken His eyes off us. He is always close enough to keep a watchful and protective eye on His children, yet just far enough away to give us enough room to grow, learn how to stand in faith, and eventually, just like the baby bird, learn how to fly.
7 Reminders that You are Important to God
Psalm 61:2-3
“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou has been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.”
Joshua 1:5
“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Hebrews 13:5
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Psalm 37:23-25
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, not his seed begging bread.”
Isaiah 49:15-16
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Matthew 10:29-31
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”