God Notions

This morning I kept hearing a small rustling outside my basement window. I looked out but the lilac bush gave good cover so I could not see, then I heard this chirp. My husband, Bill, had put chicken wire at the window to keep our dog Maggie, a stray puggle, away from the window. This is where the chirping was coming from.

For twenty minutes this baby bird kept chirping for momma, I kept a good watch out for her but she didn’t show soon enough for me. Though our yard is fenced in, I worried, what if a cat came hunting. I left Maggie in the house and went outside to check out the situation. The chicken wire was not attached to the house but it was touching with no room for the little guy to escape. I found him hiding under a lilac branch that had grown through the wire. Panicked he tried to fly up and out but wasn’t able. I pulled the wire away from the window and he scooted out and flapped as far away from me as he could. He had all his feathers with a speckled chest, a fledgling, but still a novice at flying.

There he sat, right out in the open… perfect prey. What had I done? I interfered. So, there I sat, bird sitting, waiting for momma bird to show up, making sure nothing bad happened to this baby. And I thought, isn’t this the biggest mistake I do as a parent and grandparent. I interfere with God’s plans for my loved ones.

He places them in a trial to bring them closer to Him and I come in and make things better…or so I think. He places them in a storm and I pull them out, all the while praying for Him to bring them closer to Him. It is so very hard to watch your loved ones suffer. I just want the behavior, the pain, the situation to stop, to change. I realize my help is a hindrance. He put them there, I take them out and nothing changes. I am powerless to make that change for them. He is not.

God the Father put His beloved Son on the cross and left Him there for a grander purpose then mankind can understand. He left Jesus there on the cross, I can hardly bare the thought of the heartache and pain of this. I am thankful I can look back and know the outcome of this heartrending act. I am so very thankful and I do believe.

Why do I continue to take my loved one down from their cross? I believe God, I trust God…or do I really trust Him?

I sat there and watched this baby bird sitting on top of the firepit screen, fully exposed. I know God sees this, I know God sees me. He is trustworthy and is faithful always. Always faithful.

I walked in the house and got on my knees…

Holy Almighty God,

Your plan and timing are perfect.

Not one thing goes before You. You see all things, You know all things. You allow what You allow and forbid what You forbid.

Your eye is on the sparrow and Your eye sees me.

Those whom I love are in better care with You.

I am sorry I intervene. I am sorry I do not trust You with this, with them.

Who can I trust more than You?

I am sorry, help me to trust as You work and refine.

Help me to stay out of Your way.

I want to be obedient to Your ways and will.

Thank you Lord, for Your mercy, grace, patience and overwhelming love.

Amen