The Lost Cockatiel (2)

Psalm 4:1 – Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. (NIV)

Earlier in the week, we had returned a lost cockatiel to its owner, only to discover that two cockatiels had been lost on the same day in our small town. As I agonized over the likelihood of the cockatiel being in the wrong home, I realized that I had no way of contacting either owner — we had taken down no telephone numbers. I poured out my distress to God, knowing that I had no way of controlling the situation, but that He was still in control.

After breakfast, the phone rang. It was the mother of the broken-hearted little boy who had been cheated out of his cockatiel. I explained the situation, took her phone number, and promised to contact her if I got any more information. I also found out that her cockatiel had no leg band, while the other owners had indicated that their cockatiel had one.

When I told my wife about this call, she told me that the other owners had said that they lived near a certain intersection in town. I decided that I would go looking for their truck. I parked near the intersection, and checked a back lane. When I returned to the car, I looked across the street, and the lady owner was coming out of her house with garbage. I rejoiced in this answer to prayer, as we greeted one another in recognition. I explained the situation, and asked them to show me the cockatiel's leg band, which they did. It really was theirs!

I then called the mother and recounted the miraculous story. She was amazed that I had taken it so seriously. I told her that I was the minister of the local Presbyterian Church, and that this was God's answer to my prayers. As she hung up, she said, "God bless you!" It's unlikely that the cockatiel was ever found, but at least she was spared from the thought that it was unjustly living in the wrong home. I have no idea how God will use this miracle in her life, but I do know that He has a plan for her and her family. If He was so willing to answer my prayers about a little cockatiel, how much more is He concerned to answer our prayers about the eternal destiny of those around each one of us! How can we communicate that to them?

Matthew 6:26 – Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, You are concerned about the eternal destiny of Your people. Help us to catch a vision of Your concern for those around us, and to risk sharing our faith with them, that they may receive Your salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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