Returning Evil for Good
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