The Parable of Little Bird

Last night when walking, an owl flew over my head and landed in a tree ahead. When it rotated its head to look back, I instantly remembered this story I wrote four years ago, this month. I would like to share it today for the encouragement of the Bride who is feeling wounded, weak, or in need of courage. Our injuries are not fatal! Christ is our healer, and our destiny is to fly. ❤︎

“Little Bird,” as she called herself, once lived a very full life. She spent most of her time in the air; flying was her favorite thing to do! She also adored her bird friends, the ones her Creator gave her as gifts. Together they flew back and forth to their seasonal homes, raised children, and sang beautiful melodies.

One Spring day, however, Little Bird injured her wing by flying into a glass window. She thought she’d have to rest only a little while, but Spring turned to Summer, and Summer turned to Fall. She thought she was still injured, but the truth was, she just grew weak from not flying every day! The shame she felt for her poor flying skills kept her from even trying.

But meanwhile, Little Bird met other animals who kept her preoccupied. Mrs. Squirrel always needed help burying nuts. Mr. Turtle liked to be with her watching leaves fall. And the ground birds always had fun dances to attend. The animals also taught her how to hunt for and try different kinds of food she did not know about before, that she developed a taste for. Overall, it wasn’t a bad life for Little Bird.

But oh, how she longed for the sky! Every day she caught a glimpse of its beauty through the forest leaves, and wondered if her friends were up there flying. She missed them too. And she wondered: even if she was able to fly, would she ever know it? Had she become afraid of flying?

One day The Great White Owl , the wise sage of the forest, looked down from the trees and saw Little Bird hopping around. She looked unhappy and lonely to him, sometimes taking a small leap to a low branch, then landing back down on the forest floor. He knew winter was coming, and it was in her best interest to fly home. So he had an plan. The Great White Owl began to hoot really loud during the day, when owls don’t normally cry out, with the hope of calling her to himself.

It worked! Little Bird heard the hooting, and set her intention to find the The Great Owl. She had to turn down an invite to a bird dance, and politely tell Mrs. Squirrel and Mr. Turtle that she couldn’t help bury nuts or watch leaves fall, but her heart was filled with hope! She knew the Great White Owl was wise, and maybe he could help her find the courage to fly again.

Soon she found the Great Owl, regally perched on a sturdy branch just a few feet from the forest floor. He silently looked at her, and blinked. Little Bird knew what he wanted. She had to go up to him! So with a leap and a small flutter of her wings, she landed onto the low branch next to him. But immediately, he took off to another branch a few feet higher, and hooted. She followed him there, too. Branch after branch they did this for a while, her wings getting stronger and stronger with every leap up, until suddenly, before she knew what was happening, they were both on top of a tree with a breathtaking view of the sky!

Little Bird was nervous but filled with excitement. The Great White Owl then spread out his huge wings and leaped off the branch. Around and around he soared on the wind, screeching for her to follow him.

This was Little Bird’s moment! Putting her trust in the Great White Owl who sought her out and got her this far, she stretched out her little wings, took a deep breath, and leaped off the branch.

“Here I come!” she cried!

Little Bird was flying again.

Lift up your hands (or wings) which hang down,
and gather courage into your heart!
Straighten out the paths of your life,
so that your lameness may not become worse
or prolonged more than it has to.
Remember – is the Lord’s desire for you to be healed!
~ From Hebrews 12:12-13

P.S. The same day I wrote this story, a friend shared this surprisingly fitting video: