Lolly 'n Pops, a pair blue Linnies, were part of the family that I was caring
for while MY family was on holiday. They are beautiful and they are interesting
to watch. One will call "pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird" while the other
one chirps happily. They seem to be the perfect couple. BUT! . . . .
Every morning at wake up time, all the cages were uncovered and each bird
received his/her breakfast. All of them were happy to see my hand enter their
cages with that little plate of veggies and grains. All of them, that is, except
Pops! My hand didn't belong in his cage and he intended to do something about
it. OUCH! My hand was innocently placing HIS breakfast in the cage and he PECKED
me! Not gentle nips, either; but several that were hard enough to notice.
Needless to say, I became very wary when I had to put my hand in his cage,
because it didn't matter what goodie that hand was bringing, he took exception
to the invasion.
How like that little blue bird are we? God gives us all the good things in life,
food, clothing, a measure of prosperity and what do we do in return? We complain
and grumble. Remember the story of the 10 lepers that Jesus cleansed? (See Luke
17) Only one came back to say "Thank You". Let's not be like the Pops or the
nine lepers. Instead, let's remember that "Every good and perfect gift is from
above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change
like shifting shadows." (James 1:17 NIV). Let's be like the rest of the birds
under my care. Let's remember to say "Thank you"!
Wynona Gordon
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