The Bluebird

A few weeks ago I had a shelf made to go above our sliding glass door in the kitchen. Because there is a window behind it, I set my collection of cobalt blue glass on the shelf. Brilliant! Maybe too brilliant.

Not a week had passed before a bluebird began fluttering anxiously around the large kitchen windows behind the table. Sometimes the poor thing flew so close, it banged against the glass with its beak. It would only pause for a moment here and there to rest on one of the window sills or the nearby fence.

My initial happiness at seeing the bird (my favorite!) turned quickly to concern. I wondered what might cause such odd behavior. The longer I watched, the more obvious it became that the bluebird was attracted to the blue glass. Now and then it perched on the lower sill, its little chest beating, staring up at the shelf above the patio door. Evening came. It grew dark. I hoped it was over.

The next morning, the bluebird returned to flutter and bang against the window. Throughout that day, and the next day, and the day after that, it continued. Even in our bedroom, I could hear its beak hitting against the window pane. Three days in, the sight and sound finally brought me to tears.

My heart broke for the bluebird trying to reach the blue glass. I understood what it was like to be attracted to something - something Beautiful and strangely familiar, but so much more - and want desperately to reach it, only to be blocked again and again by an invisible barrier. I have banged against that wall so many times.

Lord God, You are beautiful beyond description. You invite me to come into Your presence! Jesus has made it possible for me to do so! Yet sometimes I feel so unable to really reach You. Please help me to believe that I will and not give up. Thank You that Your love never fails to reach me.