Do Not Worry

I have a parakeet. My son rescued her one summer. I probably would never have had a bird if he hadn't brought her home.

I was going through a particularly rough patch. I was on automatic pilot and not sure what the outcome of a situation with my son would be. I was pretty listless and just going through the motions, dealing with change of dreams for my son. Then the bird would sing, not a lot, just some chirps. She would get my attention, and even though I didn't want her to, she would lift my spirits and make me smile.

I remember laughing and saying, "God, why did you take away my dream for my son and give me a bird? I don't think that was a very good trade!" Yet, whenever the bird sang, my spirits were raised.

I began to think of new possibilities and new dreams. I came to view our bird as a gift. I didn't know she was a gift in the beginning, but many times we don't get a vote. We forget that God walks with us always, even in the darkest times. And God will use what he can to get our attention - even a little bird.

— Elaine Woodward

James Heard     

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist