Not Just a Bird
For in him, we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28
If you could not already tell, I am an avid birdwatcher. While I enjoy observing them, Michael knows them by name and sound. I do know pretty when I see it and evening grosbeaks are beyond that. Here is a devotion from Shirley Raye Redmond (All God’s Creatures) that offers another life lesson through nature.
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I was outside watering my roses when Warren from across the street came to me with something cupped in his hands. It was an evening grosbeak, a male with gorgeous black and yellow plumage. I though it was dead, but then I noticed the blinking of one small eye. The bird was alive, but barely. “You like birds,” Warren said. “I thought maybe you could help.”
But what could I do for this poor creature? I felt rather helpless, and I admitted as much. “I don’t know what I can do,” I apologized. “But I can pray.”
Warren looked at me oddly, saying, “It’s just a bird.” Then he hurried back across the street.
If there’s one thing I know about Jesus, it’s that there is no “just” anything with Him. No just a bird or just a prostitute or just a child or just a fisherman. Jesus is aware of each of His creatures. He cares for each of us—all of us. We can come to Him for His healing help. I gently placed the bird inside an empty parakeet cage I had stored in my garden shed. I filled the seed cup with sunflower seeds and water too. After sprinkling some water on the bird’s chunky bill, I prayed, “Jesus, please help this poor bird. And be with Warren too.”
The next morning, I discovered the grosbeak sitting up in the cage—alive and pert. Scattered shells proved he’d eaten something. I opened the cage door. It wasn’t long before he flew away. Smiling, I thanked the Lord for answering my simple prayer. I promised myself the next time I saw Warren, I would make a point of telling him the bird had survived, that God had answered my simple prayer. I might even tell him I prayed for him too.
Heavenly Father, thank You for watching over all Your creation. Help us to remember that nothing and no one is a “just a” entity. Teach us to love as Your loves warps us all together in this world. AMEN.
Photo: Michael Johnston