Two Birds of a Feather

I have never been overly fascinated with birds.  Granted my first pet was a parakeet named Woodstock, and I had four more birds before I left elementary school.  However, as I look back on my "Salvation Story" I see that God has used the imagery of birds to catch my attention more than once.

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The first time I remember vividly.  I was sitting at TeePee Camp (the 4-6 grade area of Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je) in between meals.  The camp was quiet, campers were off playing games in a nearby field.  There I sat cross-legged on top of the cold gray picnic table.

In the months leading up to working at Camp for the third summer I was struggling deeply with my self image.  I saw myself as fat and worthless.  Teetering on the edge of an eating disorder.

Sitting on the concrete table my heart was finally quiet.  Quiet enough to notice the two small birds that had flown in.  I watched them as they found a french fry and other snacks the campers had dropped at lunch.  And just like that my soul filled with scripture.

Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  

Matthew 6:25-26

These birds are so tiny, yet God cares ever so much about them.  And just like that this verse set me on a journey (that I am still traveling) of seeing myself as God's daughter, His Princess.

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In the last few months birds have come to mean something else to me.  If you have been following this blog for long you have probably noticed the birds that hang out at the top.  

Some people have asked me if I can sum up my time in Poland thus far in just a few words.  I could use a number of adjectives "good, awesome, phenomenal, challenging, lonely..." But there is one image that seems to sum it up for me.  

Picture a bird sitting on a barren branch (if you are having trouble, just look at the top of the page).  Then picture a bird flying away.  At this time in my life I resonate with the second bird.

Birds are created for a purpose, like everything.  I don't believe God creates something for nothing.  Birds are created to fly, soar above the earth.  Have you ever watched a bird fly?  Freedom.

A soaring bird is how my heart felt in Poland.  I was living out my purpose in this phase of life.  God created me for a reason and it was time to fly, be free.  I was not created to sit on a branch for my whole life and watch the world go by.  No, I am created to take part in God's divine creation.

Sure, sometimes flying solo the whole time is exhausting.  And that is what the branch is for.  Moments of rest.  I just can't get stuck there, I am created to fly freely.

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This weekend I visited my friend Nate Paul and had him tattoo that very image on my foot.  Reminding me that it is ok to rest, but I also need to soar.

Photo courtesy of duchesssa