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Bird in the Garage = A God Surprise & A Heart Challenge!
A couple of months ago, I was down in the garage about to get in
the car, when a bird suddenly startled me. He flew towards me, seemed
to hit an invisible spot not far from where my car was parked, flew
back to his familiar resting place on the other side, then repeated
the same pattern three or four times. His agitation was obvious
and I was sure he was confused.
Our winter had been colder than usual, and the warmth of the garage
must have enticed him; it must have seemed a safe haven from winter’s
dangers. The side the bird kept returning to was filled with plants
from our deck and patio—plants I was wintering—ferns,
container plants, even a small fichus tree. All this greenery must
have given him the illusion of being outside, but the door on this
side was not only closed, but broken and stuck in this position.
This “safe” place had made him its prisoner.
 Over
the next few days, I kept the garage door on my side open as much
as possible, but each time I returned home, I discovered him again.
I felt like I had to do something, so I tried to provoke him towards
the open door. We went through a ritual “dance”—me
shooing him as he continued his same pattern. Each time he hit this
“spot”, this invisible barrier, he seemed to dart away,
lose heart and return to his corner. He could not break through;
he could not fly to freedom. His pattern was set: he had somehow
created a grid in which he felt safe, and there he remained.
That particular
week we were in the middle of a retreat and I realized how concerned
I was over this bird’s condition. Hmmm…After the fourth
day, I believed God might be trying to teach me something. Yes,
the God of Surprises, even works through birds!
Here are some thoughts:
- God finds us when
we are lost and confused, even when we don’t realize we
need Him—He knows better!
- I was reminded how
strongholds try to protect us in a distorted, destructive way.
- They set boundaries
for how we live.
- These thinking patterns
create invisible walls that keep us from moving into God’s
freedom.
- We need God’s
help to break through these walls.
- Can we trust Him
and believe that He will help us?
- Do we dare take
the risk and “fly” into freedom—even if we find
ourselves in a “winter” place for a season?
- Can we believe that
God is with us no matter what cold, hard situations we might encounter?
- God loves us enough
to “shoo” us there when we need it!
The
Rest of the Story
In case you are interested,
the bird is no longer in the garage.
For Reflection:
- What do you run
to when life becomes cold and hard? What has become your “safe”
place that could actually harm you over time?
- Do a “Check-up-from-the-Heart-Up”
on the above points. Invite God to show you your heart condition.
In His Love,
P.S. If you would like to partner
with us in ministry by joining our email intercessory team contact
us at: HFNsite@earthlink.net
or call our office at (800) 483-2841 toll free or (770) 919-0140
locally.
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