I had a disconcerting thought this morning. My husband came in the bedroom and said, "You have got to come outside and see this." An across-the-street neighbor has an older car that is decorated with a wide chrome strip that extends the length of both front and rear doors. A robin stood next to the car, very still, eyeing the chrome, and then us as we watched from a distance. Then he went back to gazing at his image in the chrome.
"Clink!" Up he hopped, wings flapping, to give the intruder a hard peck on the noggin. He fell back to the ground. More eyeing..."Clink!" Back to the ground.
Mr. Robin must have been a little confused, because (after a head shake) he stoodl very still and quiet for about a minute.
Flap flap flap! "Clink!"
We grinned at the foolish and feisty Mr. Robin, and then grinned at each other as we exchanged a few comments about the nature of animals (and people) who are "twitterpated" in the spring.
Later the thought came to me that perhaps I sometimes look like that to God. Does God watch me as I foolishly waste time and anger and defensiveness and energy on some false image of what is real? Do I hop and look important and peck -- only to get a dizzy head?
All too often, I am afraid this is so.
God must wonder at me sometimes, seeing how I don't notice that what I'm fighting is just a shadow of the real enemy.
8 comments:
That is so funny about the bird! I never thought of God as watching us that way. Interesting thought. I used to use an image of someone hitting themselves in the head with a hammer, then asking "Why do I have a headache?".
Good analogy.
Interesting thoughts...that, and wild turkeys attacking postal employees.
This is so wonderful! What a great image.
How true! I bet God has banged His head against a wall over me more times than I could count...
I agree, great analogy! Oh how I wish my brain were in tune enough to theologize as I watch the birds.
I LOVE the birds up here. At about 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon the birds gather at a tree outside our church office windows. They are gorgeous. They're the kind of birds I've only seen in cages at pet stores or plant nurseries or nursing homes. Not crazy fancy, exotic birds, but BEAUTIFUL little birds that, because of their existence in stores, I didn't know were actually common just outside in the wild. Oh my nature-sheltered life! Anyway, I love watching these little yellow guys and the bright blue ones. I don't even know their names, but I love how beautiful they are!
mmmmmmm honestly didn't see that one coming. Very timely. I shall ponder that all day.
Hi there, Owl--
Wow, I totally get that! :-) Don't was all have those days...
I'll look forward to reading you; thanks for stopping by Peniel!
Peace--
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