Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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.

22 comments:

  1. Good story but also good point of how often our heart's desire can turn the opposite way. Hmmmm says something about God knowing what is best. :) My heart's desire? First, to know Jesus better. Second, to see my son-in-law return to Jesus stronger than before. Third, to see my two daughter's desires come true. Fourth, to truly live the adventure of life.

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    1. As the title of the old television show says, "Father Knows Best." We should pay heed to that, definitely, Bill!
      As for your heart's desires, they are all admirable, and may they all be fulfilled!
      Love and blessings!

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  2. Hi Martha! What a beautiful story! Your husband and your granddaughter working together to make that dream come true...but it's never up to us anyway is it?
    Interesting twist to the story, getting bitten. A lot of spiritual truth here. How many times have I asked and asked for something I really didn't need, only to be 'bitten' by it? It's a cautionary tale for sure.
    Today? I want to give all my plans to God. I want to just do what I think I'm supposed to do, and then give it over.
    And...I'd like to lose 20 pounds today. (You did ask for my heart's desire!)
    LOL!
    Ceil

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    1. LOL, Ceil! I don't think those 20 pounds will flush away in a day, but that's a great goal to set. :)
      Yes, it is so true that what we think we need or want so badly, isn't what the Father knows is good for us. Still, when He allows us to go in that direction, it often ends up in the "bite" that turns us all that much more back to following Him.
      Let's all give our plans to God and let Him work in us!
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Great point well illustrated Martha! And I love the pics of Virginia Rose and Bebe! She is growing up and adorable as ever! Loved this post

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, Kimberly. Glad you enjoyed the post!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Martha, It seems sometimes what appears to be our heart's desire really isn't because it's not the best God has for us. I've learned this, even as an adult. At times it's tempting to return to that, yet I know it's not worth it. My focus now is to desire God--ever more of Him--and to fulfill His call on my life, to experience ALL that He has to give me.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Amen, Kim! It is a difficult, but necessary, lesson to learn as we live our lives. God's will for us is best, and I'm so glad He always gets us back onto the path He wants us to take. I, for one, would have been lost a long time ago if it weren't for the Lord.
      Love and blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Fran! I must admit, they are some of my favorites, too. She always inspires this Gammie.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. your stories make me smile and tonight wince a bit with the ear being pecked. ouch. love how you give us a view of your world with a great message of God too. Really shows how God is so much a part of our everyday happenings. Thanks for ordering my book. You made my day!

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    Replies
    1. God definitely IS a part of our everyday and our seemingly mundane. Finding Him in the little things never ceases to bring me joy.
      So glad I made your day, Jean, in ordering the book. I can't wait until it gets here!
      Love and blessings!

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  7. I love birds and this story Martha, thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you so much, Jay, for stopping by and leaving your thoughts. I love birds, too, and am constantly filling our feeders in the yard. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  8. I am going through a season of trying to realign, correctly align my heart's desire away from what I think would be best for me in my life and to what God wants for me in my life. It's difficult because I like everyone else cannot always understand where God is leading me, but I am choosing to trust that wherever and through whatever he leads me, it is better than my own best thoughts.

    Thank you Martha for sharing this with me!

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    1. It is so difficult to let go and let God, isn't it, Dusty? But that's exactly what He wants, and needs, us to do. Like you, I don't always get a clear understanding of where God is leading me, but I do know His ways are higher than mine, and I absolutely need to trust in Him.
      Glad this post resonated with you today. Know that I look forward to the inspiration I always find in yours!
      Love and blessings!

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  9. So cute and adorable pictures! I was nodding in agreement all along.

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    1. I hate to sound like the proud Gammie that I am, but it seems as though Virginia can't take a bad picture. :) Glad the post spoke to you, Privy!
      Love and blessings!

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. . . Good Tidings of Great Joy . . .

  . . . Good tidings of great joy . . . ~Luke 2:10 Pictured above are my daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, John, and their three girls, Virginia,...