I had a very weird day. My husband was doing some studying at home and the
weather was gorgeous so he opened up the back door for some fresh air. But the
puppy totally didn't get the screen door thing. She kept trying to run outside,
doing a full-speed face-plant against the screen. So to keep her from straining
herself through the giant colander, Richie opened the screen too. Everything was
fine until he finished his studying and headed out- without closing the door. I
was working away at my computer, but I kept hearing a bird slamming itself
against the windows. When our two cats started going berserk, I realized the
thing was not slamming itself on the outside to get in, it was on the inside
trying to get out!
I called my husband's office to tell him there was a bird inside my house, that
I had really enjoyed living in this house, and how much I was going to miss it.
He wasn't in the office but his secretary had a good laugh.
There was no way I could live with the bird all afternoon. I finally realized
that if I wasn't really going to move out (and it took awhile to make that
decision), the bird encroacher was going to have to go. The dog and the two cats
were all too willing to help me catch the thing, though I don't think they were
looking to set it free. The dog thought it was a cool new chew toy and the cats
were looking sinisterly at each other, then back at the bird. I think each was
trying to get dibs. They glanced over at me a couple of times, too, as if to
thank me for the exceptionally fresh hors d'oeuvre.
We have atrium windows at the back of our house. That poor bird was so confused.
Two stories of humongous, edge-to-edge windows and still no way out. I opened
the highest window I could get to and with broom in hand, proceeded to try to
sweep the thing out the open window. I would give the bird a swoop with the
broom, then a swoop to each of the other animals to get them to stop trying to
help me. I think it must've looked like a lion taming act gone bad. What a total
circus. All I needed was a little car with too many clowns in it.
One of the most frustrating parts was having a window wide open, yet still
watching the goofy bird slamming itself against the closed ones. I thought he
had died at one point (and I know nothing about bird CPR; mouth to beak was
completely out of the question anyway). He must've splatted himself against the
windows one time too many and completely rattled his little birdie brain. He
just fell over, birdie feet sticking up in the air. I was just about ready to
find a little birdie lily to put on his chest when he revived.
Half an hour or so later, I finally managed to give the crasher the heave-ho out
the window. The cats were sorely disappointed. I think they sulked all
afternoon, although how can a person really tell if a cat is sulking?
The whole bird-herding incident made me wonder how many times I've frustrated my
Heavenly Father that same way. He opens a beautiful window, but I smack my head
against every closed one instead. I wonder how many gentle "broom nudges" he's
sent my way that I've fluttered and fought. We're instructed in Ephesians 5:17,
"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Trying to
find my own way is head-smashing foolishness. The next verse tells us to be
filled with the Spirit, allowing him to influence our every thought and action,
letting his way become our way. Being filled with his Spirit and lining up our
lives with his Word is the only real way to get rid of unnecessary fluttering,
fighting and face-smacking folly.
So let's surrender to his will in every way, asking him daily to fill ever part
of our lives with his Holy Spirit. Anyway, who wants to be a bird brain?
Rhonda Rhea rrhea@juno.com is the author of
"Who Put the Cat in the Fridge" and other insanely fun books, including "Amusing
Grace" and "Turkey Soup for the Soul--Tastes Just Like Chicken." She is a radio
personality and humor columnist and speaks at conferences and events nationwide.
Rhonda lives in the St. Louis area with her pastor/husband and their five
children.
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