I remember pestering my parents to rescue a baby bird that had shown up on our balcony, flopping around helplessly. It was close to bedtime, but I fussed until they tracked down a wire basket with a lid, hung it as high as they could, and tucked him inside. Then I remembered — the bird needed water. Out he came again, and for the next fifteen minutes my parents patiently coaxed him to drink before finally settling him back into his makeshift wire basket bedroom for the night.
The next morning I popped out of bed and ran outside to check on my new friend. The lid was propped open and feathers were scattered across the basket and the floor. My little heart pounded with dread — but I told myself Mom had simply taken him out to feed him. She broke the news gently: the cat got him. She was certain of it, pointing to all the telltale signs with quiet authority. I was devastated. But a warm breakfast and a few good hugs were enough to send me off on my next adventure.
You might be wondering why this memory surfaced today. It is relevant, I promise. What we perceive as hardship, loss, and sorrow is tied to our worldview. God’s plan is far greater than anything we can fully grasp. What good could possibly come from a cat killing a defenseless baby bird? Honestly, I am still not wise enough to answer that. But I have seen God move, and I believe with everything in me that good things are His doing. What is not good, He will transform into good in ways we never expected.
“17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” – James 1:17
“20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” – Genesis 50:20
While I do not claim to know everything, the one thing I do know is that He loves us dearly. You may be in the valley today or on the mountaintop — remember to praise God through it all. Sometimes it takes everything you have just to put one foot in front of the other; use that energy to praise Him. He is right beside you and will carry you out of the fire, set you safely down, and shower you with more than you deserve. That is just what He does.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
-Psalm 23:4
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.“
Dear God,
Your love for us is apparent in all things big and small. Please draw me closer to You and teach me to lean on You when I walk through the valley. Please remind me that You are there with me every step of the way. Teach me to praise You in the valley and on the mountain. May every breath I take sing Your praise. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.