A Bird in a Box

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6: 31

My friend, who is an absolute delight, leads a very active life. She is the mother of six, a part-time hospice nurse, the kind of person who welcomes you into her home at any time of the day. She is full of life and enjoys it at the same rate. She is the type of person who tackles just about anything while admitting the benefits and detriments of her "go-getter" personality. She has taught me much and is one of my favorite people.

One day in particular, she was packing for her family of 8 who were departing for an out of state trip the next week. She was tired of packing and knowing her small group was coming over the next evening, she decided to paint her foyer. She ran down to the basement, mixed all the paint colors together and headed upstairs to begin and finish the job before her husband came home late that evening. She phoned a friend who came to help but also brought along her five children. As time sped along, it was time for dinner. The two mothers then went to work preparing dinner for 11 children while racing the clock to complete their project. Finally bedtime came and with the project finished, her friend departed. She then got her kids bathed and into bed. Remembering that she had been invited to peruse through another friend's garage sale items before the sale tomorrow, she grabbed her purse and turned to leave. Something caught her attention. There on the floor, was a morning dove. It was alive and its big eyes watched her. She noticed it's wing was ruffled and feathers were lying on the kitchen floor. Her cat sat in the corner, apparently the culprit of the bird's injured state. A little intimidated to pick it up, she phoned a friend who was an avid birdwatcher. Her friend immediately came to the house and picking it up, they proceeded to nurse the bird's wing with Neosporin. Her friend volunteered to put the bird in a box and take it home with her for a little while. She would keep him quiet, give him food and water and provide a place of safety and comfort until the bird regained its strength.

As my friend left her house to go view the garage sale items (yes, she still went), she thought to herself, What I would not give to have a box right now where I could go and just get some rest. A place where I could go to be nurtured and fed, to be comforted and provided for, until I regain my strength. Even though she was in her van, her thoughts took her right to the throne room of God. And there she prayed.

Thank you Lord, that you are our Rest, our Comfort, our Place of Refuge from the busyness of life. Thank You that You care enough about us that You invite us, You want us to come quiet ourselves with You. We love you. Amen.

Jocelyn Hamsher