Bird in His Hand

Last Friday, I was at my usual perch wrapped in a soft blanket and taking in the first rays of the morning sun. Like the little songbirds flittering from tree to tree, I enjoyed crooning in worship. All of creation stirs up in an awakening at dawn to the praise and glory of God.

God, You are amazing! You are Creator of heaven and earth! Glory! Glory!

I sat there and fell momentarily silent just taking in the fresh air, listening to the waves lapping at the shore and the rustling of creatures through reed, brush and treetop. I became enveloped in stillness and security in peace that could only be felt in the presence of God. With my eyes softly closed, I thoroughly enjoyed this reprieve.

I sank deep into a lull that was neither sleep nor trance, but warmth and serenity that spilled out in song. It was just a joy overflowing and a reverberation of the worship in my heart that traveled up through my throat and escaped parted lips. Hallelujah.

Hands held up high in oblivion to all space and time.

When You call I won't delay...this my song for all my days. There is no one else for me. None but Jesus.

And gradually worship gave way to thanksgiving and adoration and praise. Fervent prayer ensued. Repentance. Petition. Supplication. Intercession. Search me. Teach me. Forgive me. Uphold me. Heal me. Help me. Thank You for loving me. I love you. Amen.

Eventually, I opened my eyes and saw the birds eating on the lawn. My smile faded into a heavy sigh as I thought to myself, "How nice it must be to be a little bird..."

How quickly I'd forgotten to Whom I'd just prayed and in Whose presence I had been sitting. But He is faithful to remind me. Immediately, the Spirit interjected and brought to mind Matthew 6:26.

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26

And Jesus spoke into my heart: "You are more precious to me than the birds, and I too will feed you."

Jesus had spoken.

And then the miracle came one minute later. My phone rang, and that call was my friend thinking of me to offer me a week's worth of food. Twenty-one gourmet, freshly prepared, wholesome, nutritious and delicious meals--for free. Three meals a day for seven days. But how? But by His hand.

Quite literally, Jesus indeed would feed me when I had no grocery money. Quite literally, Jesus placed me in an amazing home when I had $19 to my name. Quite literally, Jesus gave me a loving family through my church. Quite literally, Jesus has brought alongside me friends closer than a brother. Quite literally, Jesus has declared me accepted in the Beloved and wiped the word 'rejected' out of my broken heart. Quite literally, Jesus reunited me with my mother.

This is the God I pray to. This is the God who hears me. This is the God who shelters me. This the God who provides for me. This is the God who sustains me. This is the God who heals me. This is the God who loves me.

Quite literally.