Great Big Beautiful World

Their world was small. The size of a kid’s shoebox.

Their world was dark. Just one little hole to let the light in during the day.

Their world was cozy. Three siblings, Mama, and Daddy all sharing the same tiny space.

They were helpless. Dependent upon their parents for protection and every bite of food.

They grew bigger. Stronger. Curious.

What lay outside their tiny little home?

One day they were big enough to look outside the small hole and get a glimpse of the outside world. What did they see?

The side of a house, a concrete driveway, a little blue sky.

This was the extent of their world. This was all they knew. Their entire existence was this small little space with this small little view.

Until one day it wasn’t.

One day Mama and Daddy knew it was time. The babies somehow knew too. It was time to leave the only place they had ever known.

But how?

Where would they go? What would they do?

The biggest and strongest went first.

Head out. Then half a body. Then a foot on the edge of the small hole.

And in the blink of an eye life changed.

The baby launched itself out of that little hole and never looked back. Suddenly wings knew what to do.

Flight! Glorious flight!

Daddy blue was there in an instant, flying alongside and leading baby blue up into the biggest tree in the yard.

Baby blue wasn’t so little anymore. It was time to grow up. Learn how to hunt for worms. Learn how to survive.

This little bluebird will face many dangers. Thunderstorms, squirrels, the challenge of finding food, and worst of all – stray cats! Even so, little blue was ready to begin the grand adventure called life.

Ready to explore this great big beautiful world and take its place in it. Baby blue was ready to live.

And live it will, or die trying. And if little blue survives and grows into a strong and fierce bluebird, it will find a mate and raise its own family of baby blues.

I had the pleasure of watching all of this unfold in my own backyard this past week. I got to watch the little baby bluebird take its first flight. I was shocked that it didn’t flutter to the ground, but flew high and far on its very first try. Baby blue’s siblings took their first flights sometime that night or early the next morning.

I want to be like baby blue. I want to launch myself into this great big beautiful world and live. Survive, sure, but really live.

I want to trust that God has already given me everything I need to fly and that like Daddy bluebird, He’ll be right there to fly alongside me and teach me as I go.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” ~Matthew 6:25-27, NLT

I love this verse. Every day I watch the birds and other animals in my yard. Honestly, watching the baby birds get ready to fly last week was better than reality TV. I couldn’t look away!

It’s so much fun to watch the animals – how the parents care for their young, how the animals know just what they need to do to survive.

God provides for their needs. How much more does He care about us and provide for our needs? We’re so precious in His sight.

There’s a lot we could worry about in our world today, but worrying won’t add a single moment to our lives. All it will do is rob us of our joy. Instead of worrying, I choose to live. I choose to be wise, but not live in fear.

I choose to enjoy life in this great big beautiful world for however long I’m in it. I choose to trust Jesus with my today and all of my tomorrows. #FaithOverFear

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I know life is hard and challenging and sometimes just plain brutal. I know that sometimes worry happens and it feels like there’s nothing we can do about it. That’s where Jesus comes in. He can help us.

He can help us think of Him more than our challenges. He can fill us with peace when our hearts are afraid. He can help us. A life of faith is a journey and I’ll be the last person to tell you, “If you just had enough faith…”. That’s not how life works! Even when we have faith, life beats us up.

I have faith, but I’m still physically sick. I have faith, but I still have bad days. I have faith, but life is still hard. My faith is often tested, sometimes it’s weak – but God. He is with me. He reminds me of truth. He showers me with His love. He helps me endure. He gives me peace in the storm. He’s okay with me not always being okay.

If you’re struggling, please reach out to Him today. God can handle anything we throw at Him. He knows everything anyway, we might as well be honest with Him! Let’s reach out to Him today and ask Him to help us boldly fly like baby blue.

Until next time,

Josie