Pretty Little Bird
I’ve been called a crybaby on more than one occasion. So, when I started to tell the news about the cancer to those around me, I was shocked when all of a sudden I kept hearing words like brave, courageous, and fearless. It didn’t make sense how people looked at me as someone who was strong when I’ve been considered a delicate little flower all of my life. Could they not see my eyes were red and puffy? Did they not hear my voice cracking when I spoke? The praise they were giving me didn’t seem to match up to what the voices in my head were saying.
As I recalled these conversations with Clarence who was my boyfriend at the time (now hubby), I told him “I’m a baby, I’m not brave!” He simply replied, “You’re a brave baby.” Just like that my heart skipped. I remember repeating those words together as time rolled by. I would whisper, “Brave. Baby” over and over again to myself. I loved the way it sounded for a nickname but something was missing. One day I put pen to paper and started to write down words that moved me. I got to the word “bird” and then scribbled “Brave Baby Bird” and knew that was it!
I’ve always loved birds. Their beauty and grace has forever amazed me. They are strong and bold yet elegant and soft at the same time. I look at them and see h o p e. When they fly in the sky, I watch them and imagine feeling free and light. I also admire the confidence they have as a baby when Momma Bird pushes them out of the nest because it’s time to fly. This is why I relate so well to “Baby Bird”. Anyone who knows me knows that it is so fitting!
I am brave because I didn’t give up. I’m also a Baby Bird because I am sensitive AND strong. I can be both at the same time, as well as anything else I want to be. It took so much faith to get here to even be able to write these words. And I am still looking up! I want to grow even more in truth, by the Word. Push myself to stay consistent with my practice. These two things are hand in hand for me in finding peace. Even when it seems like I’m just winging it, I know He’s guiding me so there’s no way I’m falling. Will you fly along?