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I have set myself the task to study the nature of forgiveness. How is it that people can forgive? What does it take? And just now a "teacher" has appeared in my life in the form of a parrot! We brought this parrot into our household last weekend. He had not been properly cared for for many years. Just how sick he was became apparent when we made an appointment with the vet. Given the suffering and neglect that he has endured we would not have surprised if he acted aggressive or withdrawn. But within the few days he has been with us he has already impressed us with his cheerful and friendly nature, his willingness to trust, and his many funny attempts to engage us. And I thought: how easily do I get grumpy or in a bad mood over little things! What if I tried, just for today, to be cheerful, to be in a good mood, not to hold on to grudges?
It might seem strange to consider a parrot as a teacher, but in fact the Bible often urges us to study nature and to learn from it: Consider the lilies in the field, Jesus said. Consider the ravens…Consider the fig tree. And he lamented: O Jerusalem , Jerusalem ! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Isaiah envisioned peace between animals as a sign of the kingdom of God : The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, says the LORD. And the writer of Proverbs suggested that we can even learn from the ants: Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
As the summer is quickly coming to an end, let use some of our time to consider nature and its many lessons.
Pastor Bea
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