Today’s Musing is from Margaret Fowler.
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength ….” —Isaiah 30:15a NIV
One morning, I had the chance to rescue a little bird. When I went out to the garage, I heard fluttering wings and sounds of distress. A bird had flown into the garage when the doors were open, and now he was trapped and trying to get out through the closed window. Of course, he couldn’t know that was impossible. He was just going toward the light.
I have rescued other birds, even a much bigger blue jay, so I knew what to do. First, I brought out my heavy gloves to avoid getting pecked! Then I headed for the window.
The bird was frightened, not just a hard window but now a big object (me!), trying to catch him. He went frantic in his efforts to escape. After a few tries, I somehow managed to grab hold of him and gently, with both hands, had him firmly in my grasp.
Immediately he was still, no movement, no frantic fluttering. He just accepted his position in silence and stillness. Keeping him firmly in my hands, carefully and gently, I walked out of the garage and opened my hands. Oh, what joy to see him fly away, up into the fresh air. He must have been so happy, and so was I, feeling such joy in his freedom. It brought tears to my eyes.
Have you ever been in a difficult situation, feeling like you are fighting against a brick wall? It can be discouraging and frightening. My own angry words and thoughts do not help. I feel sadness and frustration.
My little bird gave up his frantic efforts to escape when he was in my hands and submitted quietly to whatever happened next. What was he thinking? (Do birds think or just act on instinct?). Was he frightened, wondering what would happen next? Alone and trapped in darkness? Where? What? Why? Maybe. But he quietly accepted his place in my hands, whatever came.
If only we could remember in times of fear, stress, sorrow, and frustration, just to turn it all over to God, rest quietly in His hands, and accept the peace he offers. Not just holding His hand but truly resting and trusting in His hands.
Back to my little bird, when I released him, gone were windows to attack, no more silent darkness, just glorious freedom to go up into the spaces and places he loved.
Since I started writing this article and was still pondering the lessons of “my bird,” something happened in my life that was completely unexpected. I heard the sad news that my brother had died. It was a total shock, and I cried for my only sibling who had always been in my life and my earliest memories. My first words were to cry out, “No! No, please, no.” Like the bird trying to escape reality, I was “attacking the window.”
After that first reaction to the shock, I calmed down. With prayer and the prayers of my family and friends, I reached the stage of quiet acceptance, grieving gently and trusting the Lord.
Times of joy came again in many ways: seeing God in a beautiful snowfall, the moonlight on the snow, a winter wonderland. Joy in family visits, caring friends, a warm home, food, fellowship, prayer, and thanking the Lord for so many blessings.
“… a time to be born and a time to die … a time to weep and a time to laugh … a time to mourn and a time to dance, … He has made everything beautiful in its time ….” (Ecclesiastes 3:2a, 4, 11a NIV).
May we learn to know the quiet assurance of resting in the Lord, accepting what He brings, and trusting Him to bring us safely through all the seasons of our life. May we rest in His hands.
“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17 NIV).
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD my strength and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14 KJV). Amen.
Margaret is Sharon’s Mum. She and her husband have had 66 years of marriage and four children. They enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing, and just being outdoors, watching wildlife. Margaret plays the piano as part of a nursing home ministry. She has written many articles for her church newsletter, and some of these have been compiled into a trilogy of books: Holding My Father’s Hand, Holding My Daughter’s Hand, and Holding My Heavenly Father’s Hand, all available here on Amazon.
Saved by grace,
Margaret Fowler
Sweet Selah Ministries
Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service
Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)
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