Bebe and the Girl

Psalm 21:2
You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.

"If I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look further than my own back yard.  Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with." ~Frank L. Baum, The Wizard of Oz

When our granddaughter, Virginia Rose, wakes up Saturday morning after having spent the night with us, all she can think about (and talk about - nonstop) is our impending visit to Danny's mother's house.  She is excited at the prospect of spending time with her Nonna, visiting the modest bakery in town, which excels in delectable cookies, and seeing Nonna's cockatiel, Bebe.  (Baybay)

Every time Danny visits with his mother, he always lets Bebe out of her cage so she can stretch her wings and get some much-needed exercise.  It's Virginia's heart's desire to have the bird perch, and stay, on her shoulder.  Though Danny has tried this in the past, Bebe would have none of it.  But Virginia still holds out hope.

"Can you put Bebe on my shoulder again today, Papa?  Do you think she'll stay this time?"

"I can, but I can't promise you she will sit there for long.  We'll just have to see."

When the moment comes to release Bebe, Danny gently places her on Virginia's waiting shoulder.  And miracles of miracles, this time she stays!

And stays.

And stays.

Needless to say, Virginia is beside herself with delight.  Her wish has at long last been granted.  The desires of her heart have been met.

Then . . .

Bebe discovers Virginia's hair.  She begins to pluck at it, lightly at first so that it's no more than a tickle.  But suddenly, Bebe decides Virginia's ear is fair game, too.  Her sharp beak is too much to bear.  Tears spring to our granddaughter's eyes as her Papa hastily comes to the rescue, deftly scooping Bebe up in his hands, and tossing her into the air so she will take flight.

Virginia recovers quickly from this unexpected turn of events, but the honeymoon is over.  She doesn't ask to have Bebe on her shoulder again.  Can you blame her?

And I think back on times as a child when I wanted a toy or a game so badly, I dreamed about it, yearned for it, and mercilessly begged my parents to buy it for me.  But when the long-coveted gift was finally in my hands, it didn't hold the charm for me that I imagined it would.

My heart's desire was granted, but I was no better off than I was before I received it.

From time to time, God grants us our heart's desire, doesn't He?  Yet, if our heart isn't in the right place, in tune with God's will for us, that desire will not, cannot fulfill us.  It can even become an annoying, pecking Bebe that pricks at our pride and vanity for daring to place our wants before wanting God.

It is only when we realize that our true heart's delight is in loving the Lord that we will soar on the wings of eagles.

Or maybe, cockatiels.

~

What is your heart's desire today?

Prayer:  Father, You love us so much and want to give us what our hearts desire.  Even when what we ask for is wrong, as were the demands of the Prodigal Son, when we admit the error of our ways, You welcome us back to You with outstretched arms.  We are so grateful for Your infinite patience and wondrous grace.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.