Bird Bomb Day

The Ricker household swelled with its usual Saturday morning activities until~ BANG!  Something hit the window.

Running outside, we saw the small bird lying lifelessly.

My husband picked him up and set him on his feet, and the bird remained frozen upright, eyes half-closed like he was unconscious.

“Phillip.”  That’s what the boys called him.  We’d never seen another quite like him.

We stood bent over, taking turns praying for Phillip with the laying on of hands.  Quite a sight, I’m sure.  And still, the little guy never flinched.

“God cares about Phillip,” I said.  Matthew 10:29, 30 came to mind.

[box] “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”[/box]

“He’s just stunned,” my husband said.

“Maybe he has a concussion,” my youngest son offered.

The kids across the street, ages three, four, and six, raced over with their dad, and each of them took turns petting him.  Nothing fazed him, not even getting his feathers ruffled.

The children left, and we discussed what to do.  With all the neighborhood cats on the prowl, it didn’t seem right to leave him outside unprotected.

That’s when the craziest thing happened.  I can’t believe I’m even telling you this, but it’s the truth!

One of us farted ~ LOUD, and Phillip woke up!

Phillip ran so fast we gasped.  He bounced as fast as his peeping little feet could carry him!!  Bounce, bounce, bounce… a good ten inches, and he was safe under the protection of our bush!  Safe and sound.

The surprise seized us with side-splitting laughter.  We looked at each other, then at Phillip.  He peeked at us from under the bush, staring as if to say, “Goofballs!”

I cleared my throat.  “Well, God works in mysterious ways!”  We laughed again, relieved to welcome Phillip back to the land of the living.

“Kinda reminds me of the rapture,” said my husband.  “One loud trumpet blast, and BOOM ~ we awaken to new life.”

Ok, so I’m not super comfortable with this analogy (for obvious reasons), but I did think the illustration might help you the next time you’re having a no good, very bad day.

Perhaps you feel like Phillip.  You might have CRASHED.  Failed to see where you were going, and BOOM – you’re at a dead end.

Don’t worry.  If God cares about the little birds, He surely cares for you.  He’s your provider.  Maybe He’ll send the right people to be there for you, people who will stay by your side as you heal.

Maybe He’ll do something crazy wild when it’s finally time for you to get back in commission.  I don’t know.  I’m just saying…

He’s God.  He can do anything.  And He will.  He’s crazy about you!  And that’s the truth.  He works in mysterious ways.

Safe flying!

So – did you glean any other life lessons from this story?  Yes?  We’d love to hear.  Be as serious or as stinking funny as you like.

Oh, and… How does God typically get your attention when you need a wakeup call?