Birds are beautiful, aren’t they? They come in so many varieties, shapes, sizes and colors. I love the sound of birds singing in my yard. I am blessed to have a variety of them as well. I especially adore watching the humming birds and listening to the dove’s coo.

When I was in the sixth grade I found two exotic birds, or maybe they found me. The first I found was a parakeet, green and yellow markings. I was outside playing Frisbee with a neighbor after school one evening and this little bird came and landed right on me. It was clear he had flown a long way for he was physically exhausted and he simply rested himself upon me. It was such an extraordinary experience for me as a young girl. I felt a bit like Snow White with the little animals. My parents allowed me to keep him as a pet. He was the sweetest bird and I named him, “Little Bird”. I taught him to talk and he did little tricks in his cage to captivate  my attention, which it did every time.  He would sit in my hands or on my shoulder and play with my earrings. I adored him.

Within a month of so of my finding the parakeet, another exotic bird arrived on our back fence, this time is was a cockateel. He was gorgeous! He was grey bodied with yellow and white adornments on his feathers. He was a bit more stubborn to contain, but we managed and we bought him his own large cage and perched him beside Little Bird. I named him “Big Bird” and taught him to whistle the theme to Sesame Street. Big Bird, though beautiful, was a very nervous bird and he never learned the tricks to endear me as the Parakeet did. Instead, he resided his time pacing back and forth on his perch. He didn’t even like to come out and be free in the house all that much, but I loved him just the same. I’d often let the two birds out and let them fly around a bit during my time with them in the house.

Because birds fly, it is a common practice for owners of pet birds to clip their wings. This doesn’t prevent them from flying, but it greatly hinders the height and distance they can soar because the feathers on their wings are shortened. This keeps them safe, just in case they were to get out of the house, it would be easy to retrieve them for they won’t go far. We did this with our birds. We studied and learned how to clip their wings proper because we didn’t want to injure them. You see, you have to only trim the ends of their wing tips on an angle. But if you clip too deep you cut into the quill of the feather which is attached and full of blood. So, with my parents help, we were careful and delicate with our birds because we loved them and wanted to care for them properly.

Isn’t that how God is with us…

He is our Keeper. He watches over us. God shields us. God protects us and provides for us. I think of those little birds I found. They weren’t wild birds, they were domestic birds (in the US anyway). I don’t know if someone in my area was raising birds or how they came about my neighborhood. They didn’t have pet store ankle bracelets like birds did back then. I feel God sent them to me as a gift. A little sweet and eye catching treat for me to care for and love on. I cared for them and they would sing for me.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of the will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

When God cares for us, sometimes, he decides to groom us and help us grow so we can be even more vibrant and beautiful in color. He wants the best of us to shine through in us. How sad is must be for the Lord when He sees so much potential for flight in us, yet we never step out or get nudged out of the nest to spread our wings. We never try…

When God is grooming us He clips our wings, ever so gently, because it isn’t maybe yet our time to fly or that new level we desire isn’t the just right timing…so He carefully, and cautiously, lovingly, clips our little wing feathers as though to say, “Not today, Beloved, not today.” But because He loves us He knows not to clip back too far. He doesn’t want to cause permanent damage that would prevent us from flying all together. He knows that in time, the feathers grow thicker and stronger and we are ready to soar. Yes, in God’s perfect timing soar you shall!

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

He is cultivating something great inside of you. He sees so much rich color. Vibrant shades. Decadent hues. You are arrayed in His Splendor. Yes, he sees all of this and more in you. He sees the potential of the heights you can soar and the adventures you will take. It is His Great Escapade and He has prepared it for you. Therefore, be patient, whatever your cares, your woes, your adversity, your tears, your joys and the absolute best of your years….

God has more and it’s waiting for you. He has a “bird’s eye view” of all He has in store for you and it’s usually more than we can think, dream or imagine. So, if you are in a place where you are feeling a little clipped in the feathers by life, or maybe your feathers are hurt and in need of healing because you were clipped back harshly without care at some point in time. Maybe you struggle so deep you just cannot seem to overcome. Don’t worry, His eye is on the sparrow, and the parakeet, and the cockateel (you get it)…so I know he is watching over you.

He is there.

He has care and

He is going to make sure you get there.

Get ready to run.

Get ready to fly.

Get ready to reach, grab and touch the night sky.

He has more and it is His absolute best in store for YOU, His Vibrant Bird of Paradise.

(Bird of Paradise isn’t a bird, but a plant, but it sounds good).

He thinks that much of you…

Ready...

Set...

SOAR!!!!

~Nicole