Big Mac, the Baby and the S.O.S.

By Robin Steinweg –

Big Mac had the look a dog gets when someone is about to hand him a juicy bit—he had a bead on it and every muscle and tendon trembled, waiting to spring. He might have been drooling. Mom glanced out the kitchen window and saw him planted by the clothesline. Curious, she followed his eyes up to a baby robin that had just made its debut flight. It teetered and clung to its perch. She feared a breeze might send it tumbling.What can I do? If I open the window and yell, the baby might startle and fall right into his mouth. If I leave them alone, it’ll still try to fly sometime, and it can’t go far. Mac will still make a meal of it. That dog never misses an opportunity.

“Help, God!”

Even as the words formed, Mac yelped, tucked tail and ran for home, rolling on the ground every few yards to rid himself of the unseen stinger. The little robin flew off to safety. Mom had a good laugh.

Prayers can be long and eloquent. They can be formal friendly letters with a “dear” at the beginning and an “amen” at the end. They can be offered at church when the supplicant is dressed her nicest or they can be said kneeling beside the bed. But at its most personal level, prayer is a running conversation of the heart and mind with a close Friend. Going through the day at the side of this Friend, you can exchange pleasantries like, “Nice day. Thanks,” or “I’m not sure I understand what You meant when You said…” or “Help!”

This Friend not only hears every word, He knows it before it is spoken. He cares about all that concerns us, even a wobbly fledgling that might fall to become a snack for a well-fed neighborhood dog.

PRAYER: Lord, if You care about what happens to a little bird, I need to remember I’m worth way more to You. Thank You for the times Your answer is immediate. Help me to trust You when the answer is “no” or “wait.”

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24, KJV).

Today’s devotional is by Robin J. Steinweg. Robin’s life might be described using the game Twister: the colored dots are all occupied, limbs intertwine (hopefully not to the point of tangling), and you never know which dot the arrow will point to next, but it sure is fun getting there!