The Substitute
Saturday, May 29th, 2010I was walking through the center aisle of the cement barn at about 10am on May 1st when I noticed a flutter of movement in one of the stalls. There were no horses in the barn and I had already finished the morning chores. A slight breeze was blowing through the aisle and the temperature was about 75 degrees. It was an absolutely beautiful spring morning.
As I looked inside the stall, I was surprised to see four baby birds attempting to fly off the floor of one of the stalls. They must have come from the bird house that was hanging under the eaves at the end of the barn. I could imagine them standing on the edge of the perch and trying their wings for the first time; flapping as hard as they could but not able to accomplish full flight. Somehow all four baby birds had found their way into the stall and with tiny wings they were trying their
The birdhouse
hardest to fly. They did not seem to be able to rise more than a few inches off the ground before they would nose dive and resume running through the shavings. Each would take a try then run back to their siblings and huddle in a corner. They were so small I was thankful they had not been on the floor when the dogs had been running freely while I was feeding the horses. The Jack Russel’s are such good hunters I knew they would have pounced on these little babies and killed them. It appeared our Father in Heaven had been watching over them when they left their nest that morning. But isn’t that just what the Bible says; that He cares for every creature?
I watched in fascination as Mom flew into the stall through the grills in the window and brought a long dangling worm to feed her babies. The four lifted their mouths to receive her tasty morsel and in an instant the worm was gone. Mom flew back out the window and the little birds continued their attempts to fly. Minutes later, Mother bird once again flew through the window with another worm. I watched them continue this routine for quite a few minutes hoping to see the babies gain confidence and the ability to fly on their own. I was so happy that Mom had been able to find them in this new place and that she had not abandoned them since they were no longer safe in the little birdhouse. She was encouraging them and watching over them while they learned to be independent. But after awhile it was obvious that they weren’t strong enough yet. So looking down at them all piled together in the far corner of the stall, I closed and latched the door to keep them safe from any predators that would be coming through the barn, including my dogs.
Throughout the day I checked on their progress but each time I visited the stall they were still huddled in one corner or another. I didn’t see Mom again but they all looked healthy and content. As I watched them for a few minutes I thought of all the dangers that could have come upon them while they were unable to fly. I wondered what would have happened to them had they not found this safe haven, this place where someone was watching out for them until they were fully able to fly for themselves. I wondered if they knew about the dangers that were out there, dangers they were unable to flee from at this moment.
I felt the Lord speak to my heart as I was watching those tiny birds. He spoke to me of our role, as caring Christians, to help shield all the little ones who come into our lives, whether for a moment or a lifetime. We are all called to shield them from dangers they aren’t even aware of, during the times when their own parents aren’t able to. We are to do what we can to protect them from danger, and teach them skills that will help them take care of themselves. Often we see children or youth going through troubled times, or we see them acting out and we walk away shaking our head. But we have a chance to reach those troubled children and teens. A chance to teach them and help them find their way. The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Our own futures depend on our youth growing up strong and dependable and courageous. And as the Lord showed me my role through these little baby birds, my heart swelled with thankfulness that He had created this ministry at Story Book Meadows, and that I had the privilege of being a substitute, if only for a short time, for Moms and Dads that couldn’t teach their children the things that God was teaching them through the horses. He was teaching them things about love, relationships, trust, self confidence, honor and integrity. I was honored that He had chosen me for such an important role and humbled that He felt I was worthy. I was thankful that I had such an opportunity to share the love of Christ with each little person that arrived here at the Ranch.
Baby Birds
By the afternoon of the next day the birds were all gone. They had learned to soar high above the ground and no longer needed the protection our barn offered. I was disappointed that their visit had been so short but I knew there would be another lost one needing our help and protection one day and I was looking forward to that day. Not being a bird watcher, it occurred to me that I didn’t even know what kind of birds they had been, then I realized, it didn’t matter because all little ones are precious in His sight.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14
There was a message to me from the ranch that day, it was a message about caring!
Blessings to all,
Trish Carlo
