You can find Ren over at her own amazing blog, Finding My Chara. Be sure to visit her. She is a wise and funny woman!
Okay are you ready for some inspiration from Ren? Yes? Read on!
A blessed little bird
Every morning at 7:38 a little finch perches on the top branch of the tree in my front yard and begins to sing. He sings beautifully, and so loud that I can hear it from inside the house.. He sings when it’s raining, he sings when it’s snowing, he sings when it’s hot, he sings when it’s cold.. He sings when the branches are covered with ice.. He even sings when the wind blows so hard that the branches shake violently.. He just hangs on, no matter what and sings.. He could fly back to the safety and warmth of his nest but he doesn’t.. He hangs on tightly, lifts his head and sings out for everyone to hear..
Sometimes my husband’s cat (Angel) sits under the tree and watches him.. Any other bird would be fearful knowing that a cat was watching him so closely, just waiting for him to fall so he could pounce on him and devour him.. I have seen bigger birds fly away from the watchful eyes of Angel but not this brave little bird.. Oh no, he just sings louder as if to say “I’m way up here and you are way down there and not even your evil yellow eyes, pointy teeth or twitching tail will keep me from singing out. I am here to sing no matter what!”
I think we could all learn a lesson from this courageous and determined little bird..
No matter what you are going through, good or bad, give praise! Praise Him when things are good and praise Him when things are bad. Praise Him when you feel the sun on your wings and praise Him when the wind threatens to knock you from your branch.. And when you know that here is something below you just waiting for you to falter, sing your praises to God even louder..
I don’t know why this little bird chose my tree to sing in every morning, there are a hundred other trees in the neighborhood that don’t have bird-hungry cats poised under them.. But I am so glad that he does.. Because when I hear him sing out every morning I remind myself; if a tiny little finch can hold his ground and sing, even under the watchful eyes of his enemy, well then, so can I..
