I have always loved birds. Back when I was penciling the first "breadbox letters," I had a parakeet in a cage in my room. I especially loved to watch him sleep. He would turn his head backwards and tuck beak into feathers, turn into a ball of fluff, and look like soft green velvet. Every maternal instinct I had came bursting forth at such moments, and I tried to reach into the cage to stroke this wondrous grass-green creature. But no. He would not allow it. He was always rather afraid of me, running to the other side of the cage when I approached.
When it comes to allowing God to love me completely, I wonder if I'm just a bit like that bird. Oh, I don't mean to be. I intend to love God with all my heart. I was created to love Him, and that is what I want more than anything to do. But sometimes, as I feel Him approaching more closely - could it be that I feel just a wee twinge of fear?
My Father's "Paternal Heart" ... the Heart of the One Who MADE me ... longs to hold my heart close. He wants me to experience the peace that comes from loving Him. And so, at this very moment, I make again the decision to do so. I will love Him. By His grace, I will trust Him.
And who knows? I might even sing....
"...how much more important you are than the birds..!" (Luke 12: 24)
(painting on this post, by Henriette Browne, is in public domain)
