Ever since I was a child, I have had an affinity for birds. I remember thinking… In my next life, I want to be a bird. It is no wonder that I had an experience with a wild bird in a home I was renting in Vancouver. I had opened the back door and a startled brown bird flew inside and headed for the kitchen window. It tried to fly out but alas! the window could not be opened.

Each time the bird crashed against the glass in its repeated attempts to fly out, my heart wrenched. I felt myself being in the position of God and the bird was my child. I understood how God must feel when he sees his child crashing against blockades in life.

I wanted the bird to stop flying so I could offer my help. Finally fatigued, the bird slowed down and stopped, as it leaned against the window. I was afraid to hold it but a message was infused in my mind expressing: “Don’t be afraid to hold it.”

With utmost tenderness and reverence, I took the bird in the palm of my hands and led it towards the ajar door. As I took a few steps towards the door, the bird quickly flew out of my hands through the ajar door. It landed on the grass in the back yard. There it rested for some time. I frequently peaked through the back yard window to see it and felt a great warmth and love for it which I emanated through my eyes and heart.

Soon after, I observed the bird hopping about in the grass and soil pecking for food. This made my heart melt and I felt so loving towards the little fella. Before I knew it, my little bird leaped out of the open space of the fence and disappeared out of sight. The warmth and love I felt for the bird lingered within me and remains to this day.

A few days after my experience with the bird, I realized that the bird was a life lesson. In life when we are struggling, and crashing up against an obstacle, help is always nearby. When we let go, help can reach us.