I was so grateful to have this devotional hosted by Inkspirations in their January 2019 blog post!
John 15:16 New International Version (NIV)
While sitting on his lounge chair, my cousin Dennis was hand-picked. He was staring at his sparkling pool when something white flashed across his eyes. Dennis glanced up to see a white cockatiel perched above him on a branch.
Realizing it was likely someone’s pet who had flown the coop, he calmly asked, “Polly want a cracker?”
The bird swooped down and landed on his shoulder. He’d chosen my cousin. After a failed search for the original owner, Dennis began a 30-year journey of loving this bird, which he named Flingo.
Dennis studied ornithology in college and loves all animals, including snakes, mice and other scary creatures. He has owned a menagerie of pets. When I think of the chances of Flingo landing on my cousin’s shoulder, I wonder if that bird knew something about Dennis’s past experiences and education. I mean, how many ornithologists does the average person really know?
If Flingo had selected me, there probably would have been a different outcome. I would have jumped up to find a fishing net to catch him. My sudden movements, slamming doors, and swooping at him with a net might not have worked. But Dennis’s experience with animals and his calm, thoughtful response to the situation, gave Flingo the opportunity to land safely on his shoulder.
I want to respond to my writing like Dennis reacted to Flingo. When an unlikely opportunity catches my eye, there is no need to jump up and run to grab a better tool. I need to remind myself to be observant, sit patiently, remain calm, welcome it with my words, and trust God with the outcome.
Dear Father, You have chosen many unlikely people, including me. Like them, I am flawed. Please keep me calm while I wait for your Spirit’s words to alight on me. Thank you for choosing me.