By Pamela Olivetree
Consider the birds of the sky…how your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? ~Matthew 6:26
I was checking a text on my phone outside when she surprised me, a delicate little chickadee, who flew down and briefly perched on the top of my phone, and then flitted away. The next day when I was outside again, she landed on my boot! Now, I’ve heard stories of wild birds crossing the boundary of trust and allowing humans to feed them. St. Francis of Assisi comes to mind. Maybe this little bird would let me feed her? I decided to buy some birdseed and patiently stood outside with my hand outstretched. It was winter, and cold, but eventually my hope was realized. The little bird I have since dubbed “Little Trust” landed on my hand and took some seed.
Fast forward to the following autumn, and I was outside with a friend braiding garlic on a picnic table when we couldn’t help but notice a sudden ruckus in the apple tree above our heads. About five or six chickadees were jumping from branch to branch and chatting away. Sometimes they got so close we could practically reach out and touch them! It seemed obvious that these little birds were curious about what we were up to. Trying not to scare them, I got up and quickly tiptoed to my shed to get some birdseed. But by the time I came back they had disappeared into the trees.
Now, I could be wrong, but I believe “Little Trust” was in the branches that day, trying to teach her friends or babies that humans are interesting, friendly, and can be trusted to help them survive. And when this happened a second time, I began to inquire of the Creator what He wanted me to learn through this little bird.
One thing that I heard is that people are largely like animals in their tendency to be timid, suspicious, and self-protective. Many people can’t develop lasting, intimate relationships with God or others because of this. Sometimes there is good reason to be wary of someone or something. Unfortunately hurt people often hurt people – no matter how much we might let go of expectations otherwise. And with all the lies about God taught through religion, so many people can’t even relate to God without feeling fear. They feel like they are all alone, and need to take care of themselves.
But Little Trust is a sweet reminder that we don’t have to live in fear of God, the real God, whose outstretched hands are kind and gentle. Here our tentative souls can stop and rest and, if we believe it – find our needs miraculously met. And for those who are afraid to read the Bible because of how much it has been twisted and used to hurt others, think of Little Trust landing on your pages, finding nutritious seeds and nuggets in the midst of the chaff to appreciate. If Little Trust can do this with a handful of birdseed in a human’s hand, how much more can we trust God to feed us good things?
Little Trust is also a reminder to relax in relationships – not sabotaging a loving one because of a fear of being hurt or trapped. Like a little child, we can choose to interact with others with honesty and vulnerability. I know for me, thinking on these things has helped me not to withdraw from receiving and enjoying love from some people who are in my life for a reason and a season. Because they are different from me, in my past I would have “flown away” in fear.
In a way Little Trust is symbolically a “little birdie” on all of our shoulders, much like the indwelling of the Spirit in our hearts. If we “see her” by faith, we are given courage to push through and not miss out on certain things in life that are generously given to us for our ultimate good.
Love…
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
– 1 Corinthians 13:7