“It’s a wrong choice by them,” we said.
“The branch might fall. They’d be thrown off their nest!” Some trees fell; some branches broke.
With my children we’re worry lot. Why not they chose a bigger branch or twigs to live? We aren’t ornithologists or bird watcher before.
We’re sitting on the glass-covered patio of our rented room, when thunderstorm occurred, that evening. There was a bird’s nest in the nearby tree, for which we’d waited for the eggs to hatch every day. By the way, I’m talking about the nest built by birds of the starling family.
As the thunderstorm gained momentum, the branches of the trees swung forth and wide. Getting startled, we stand through the whole episode as we feared for the newly hatched young ones to fall.
With my children, we held each other as we could do nothing to help the anxious young parents. We assumed that they are making the wrong choice for which my children even prayed to our God for their safety during the episode.
Not before that day, we never thought the birds are making the wrong choice to build their nest there, being supported by a very small branch.
At the same time, on the other side of house was also a nest; but situated on the trunk of the tree. The parent-birds here seem to remain calm as they simply douse off the rain with their thick feather. For them, the strong wind doesn’t do much harm.
When the thunderstorm subsides, it’s a relief to see them back into their normal self. We try helping them as we could; by putting out some grains for them.
God saw them! And thus they are safe!
It remind me of the word of Jesus Christ, who says – not even a sparrow will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. (Matthew 10:29 Rephrase)
Choices in Life:
There are many choices in our everyday life. Certain choices taken in our younger days mostly lead us to where we are today. It is true; yet taking it that way and blaming on ourselves can be detrimental to our existence.
It might have been better for me should I be more ambitious some years down the line. In that way, my life would be more secured, respected, and my contribution to my family and obligations might have been more meaningful and valued.
I don’t know if you ever felt that way, but is something that crosses my mind. It’s a normal man’s thought, they said as we aged. But who possess the wisdom to make choices wisely without God? Those certain ‘yes and no’ in the appropriate timing becomes the determining factor of our life.
Like the Starling Bird:
Some years ago, when we become parents, we could’ve have run a family on a slightly thicker paycheck than now. However, like the starling bird I had mentioned before, our nest was built on a very thin paycheck which we thought would be better in the long run.
I became a stay-at-home-dad as the need arises. Being from conservative family with the notion of the husband the likely bread-winner, it’d be wrong to admit that I’ve not face problems in and around the society.
There are many times when I couldn’t understand what had happened. And I really sucked at the job with no one really being happy. Sometimes, the thin foundation of our nest seems unable to carry us which threatened to throw us out.
I become anxious at times because I’m unable to handle situations. Still, what I don’t know; my God knows!
The Foundation of Life:
The foundation of life was laid by God – neither me nor you. Yet when we trust less in Him, it’s hard to see the upside of our adversities. We fear that the foundation with which we laid our family might fell.
In the thunderstorm of life, blown up and down, there are times our foundation of life threatens to throw us out. There are many times we feel helpless!
It is because we don’t understand!
It was designed by God, and I’m not trying to put the blame on my Savior. Life is designed by God; I won’t understand it all!
However, as invaluable as our life might seem, through the pain and the sorrow – Jesus Christ is the anchor of our life. The anchor of life who connects our world and heaven, and death being the usher of new and complete life.
“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?” Matt 6:26
The Handiwork of God:
People will see the handiwork of God even in my frail living and they will uphold His name. (Ephesians 2:10) Many of my wrong choices, as I’ve perceived them, became tool for God to show His craftsmanship when I give-in to Him, searching for refuge in His name.
In certain point of our life, we are given choice whom to serve in the long years of our life. However, for me, I waited for better time to serve the one I loved. I get carried away in the hullabaloo of life.
Few months ago, I read an article written by a friend, which stressed on the choices of David and Judas Iscariot: David made the wrong choice once but return to God while Judas Iscariot took the wrong path but never return to God, which leads to his death.
And now, with me being epileptic, and seeing the face of death at times, the craftsmanship of God gets depicted in my everyday living. It really is a privileged living ever since, not because of being epileptic but because of the grace bestowed upon me.
The Wrong Choice?
Can there be a wrong choice? Sure, there is. But our wrong choice could become the key to opening the paradox of life. Moreover, we called them wrong choice as we are unable to see the motive behind it.
The wrong choice would be giving up on living. For some people like us, who already made many wrong choices, not trying to move forward in growing faith and losing hope would result in a total disaster.
With the pain and suffering, which afflicted my daily living today, it’d be a poor choice to loosen my grip midway on the Anchor of Life – Christ Jesus.
The starling birds seem to make the wrong in my naked eyes, in the midst of thunderstorm, but their Creator keep them safe. The Abiding Savior held the small branch together for them unless it fell.
For everything, I don’t want to call it as wrong choice, because I have hope in Him. Yet there are times I wanted to turnover certain things in life. In the end, I am safe in His arms; in the shadows of His wings.
