Mercy for the Bird: A Playdate, a Prayer, and God’s Promise

Monica R. Hopper

"...He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”—Matt 5:45, NIV

Anticipation crackled in the air, reaching a fever pitch as the playdate unfolded, promising a whirlwind of unforgettable adventures. Twelve kids running around our property were suddenly less interested in the bounce house, the kickball game, and climbing trees—the barn cats had a bird.

The girls rescued a bird, probably a fledgling since it would occasionally stand up, and brought it to me. It didn’t look well, but it was chirping. I debated a merciful death, but I didn’t have it in me. It didn’t show any external wounds, and I was unwilling to assume its condition required a dramatic end with six girls looking on. The girls made a nest and placed it in the garage, away from the cats.

Baby Bird in a Nest

Planting Seeds of Hope Amid Unexpected Interruptions

My husband and I had set aside a precious 5-hour block that afternoon for a work date, a time meant for tackling mentally challenging tasks without the distractions of our children. However, our plans were interrupted by the chirping of a hungry fledgling in the garage. Returning her to the nest high in the barn seemed futile—she’d already endured a fall and had been separated from her mother. Our options were limited with four curious barn cats roaming the property and the nearest rehabilitation center two hours away. Yet, in that moment, we offered a prayer, reflecting on the care of a heavenly Father whose eye is on the sparrow (Matt. 10:29). With renewed purpose, we rose from our work and picked up a spade, ready to plant seeds of hope and compassion in the flower bed.

Immediately, three worms were evident. The hungry bird would eat.

I contemplated this small miracle all day. I weeded and planted in those beds three weeks ago, and for the most part, found no worms. For the first slight turn of a spade to show forth three worms, nearly on the surface, was the merciful hand of a bird’s heavenly Father.

Paul beautifully describes the goal of God’s merciful hand in our lives when he wrote, “…do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4, NASB)

Recognizing Divine Intervention in Everyday Moments

What a question to consider. Do we take for granted those moments when He helps us find that item we were desperately searching for, when the phone call we have been dreading is surprisingly uplifting, when the merciful cancellation of a meeting or requirement temporarily calms our chaotic work-life balance? Oh! The temptation to see these items as chance happenings – and not the calling from our Lord to repentance of our independence – is strong!

The world is no help. It is blatant and insistent in its messaging to deny God's existence and engagement: “The stars aligned!” “The universe brought us together!” “Manifest your destiny!” “Positive vibes only!” 

God's Timeless and Trustworthy Nature

But God is not threatened. His character and messaging are both timeless and trustworthy. In His great mercy, "He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt 5:45, NIV). With that same mercy, He calls us out of our doubt and into the joy of knowing Him (Romans 11:28-36).

And so, we who he calls can please Him in our response! As Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (NIV).

Proclaiming God's Sovereignty in Everyday Miracles

Each moment and area of our lives is a realm where we are invited to announce His sovereignty and declare His goodness and mercy. When God provides for the vehicle your family desperately needs, you find that item you thought you lost, or when your father says, “I love you,” after years of shutting you out, you have that opportunity for a counter-cultural message. God did what I could not do. His mercies are “new every morning,” and the riches of knowing Him and being loved by Him far surpass the world’s empty promises. (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

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Person in a Field

Prayer: Give me eyes to see, Lord, and ears to listen to You. May I marvel at your mercies, both small and significant! Please help me to confess my unbelief and invite you to renew my mind. May I embrace the joy of knowing You as the first and greatest mercy, through which I can discover hope for each new day. Amen.

Your Turn: What mercies of God have you experienced? How do you honor the Lord’s mercy in your life? Do you declare His goodness publicly when His mercy is shown to you, or do you breathe a sigh of relief when you experience His mercy and then wrestle the doubt beast down, quickly moving along to the next thing? What does God want from you now? How can you honor Him?