We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Psalm 124:7
A cat has adopted us. He was a lonely, hungry little stray. Now he is a spoiled house cat with food, water and his own blanket on the ottoman. As a thank you for our kindness, cat style, he brought a sparrow through the pet door. Alive.
When our cat opened his mouth to meow and tell me to come see his present to me, the little bird frantically flew out, banging into windows and walls and even the ceiling fan blades, luckily on low. Desperately seeking a way out of this strange predicament, it chirped and fluttered about in frustration as I cloistered the cat in the bathroom and shut the door. Finally, exhausted it landed on the curtain rod, huffing and puffing. I tried to stealthily sneak up on it, to capture it so I could let it outside. It spooked and the scenario began again. I opened the back door, hoping the smell of outside and freedom would lure it to safety. But is was too sacred to notice, dashing about, hitting the ceiling, the walls, the window.
After almost an hour of trying to direct it gently with a broom, guiding it, spooking it, talking softly, letting us both rest, it exhausted gave up and hopped onto the broom straw. I slowly carried it to the back door. Then it saw the light of day and whooshed out, back into the world it belonged. Freedom.
I’ve been there. Caught in a situation, a snare, frantically trying to find my own way out of the chaos, bumping into blocked paths, not knowing the escape route. I can see me as that bird and God with the broom, slowly prodding me. Trust me, he whispers. Hop on this scary thing I’m holding out to you called my will because I know the way. I will carry you to safety and freedom in my love. I also feel his joy and relief when I give in, tired, huffing and puffing, and say, Okay. I will trust your will. Lead me out, I can’t do this on my own.
Jesus said in Matthew 6, God cares for the lilies of the fields and the sparrows, how much more will he care for us. There is a hymn that says His eye is on the sparrow. Thanks to our kitty, it has a deeper meaning for me now. I hope, through this telling, it does for you as well.
Heavenly Father, we praise you for your All knowing, all loving direction in our lives; for your patient coaxing, and for the lessons you bring making the extraordinary out of the ordinary. Whenever we are trapped, frustrated, weary and scared, extend to us Your love and show us Your will. Carry us to freedom and help us escape the snares of this life and the Evil One. We lift this up through Your Son, by whose death, the cage of sin was opened and the route to freedom secured. Amen.
