"Greeting the Day with Laughter and a Song" -- Carol Hausch Ossenfort

Image Credits:

"Cat & Bird in Cage Pin" -- ebay.co.uk

"Cockatiel" -- reachingutopia.com

For two years now, each morning when I came downstairs to the kitchen, I was greeted with a song medley from my beautiful cockatiel, which appeared in the yard one day and never left.  My sons taught him to whistle the Mexican Hat Dance, the theme song from the “Andy Griffith Show” of years ago, a few odd tunes, and the Yankee Clap (which he executes with his beak on the bars of the cage).  I try to join in with my very inept whistling, but in the middle of it, I can’t keep from laughing. 

That bird is so adorable and funny, and my whistling is so bad, but he stays right on tune!  No matter what I may be concerned  about as I start the day, “Peanut” takes all that away and brings a smile or laughter to me, and then my thoughts always turn to how very blessed I’ve been in my life …even in the “little things.”

It’s easy to see that when we focus on worries or sadness, they bring us down.  Focusing on the good, and finding a way to laugh, changes our outlook.  Likewise, beginning the day in prayer and thanksgiving to our Lord for all he has given to us brings us up and into His Light, His Joy, and the knowledge of the transforming power of His Word.

Speaking of “bringing us down,” there, too, my little cockatiel provided a great lesson the other day.  The kitten had finally noticed Peanut hopping about enticingly on his cage perch in the kitchen, making it necessary to move the cage to my second-floor bedroom and keeping the door shut.  But that morning, I had failed to close the door. 

There I was, in relaxation mode reading in the living room, when I heard a loud crash, the source of which was instantly obvious … a “downed” cage.  Running quickly up the stairs, I feared seeing the worst … and several possibilities crossed my mind.  Peanut could now be in the throes of a heart attack or dangling from the kitty’s mouth.  Saying a quick prayer before entering the room, I then heard a brave, if tentative, little chirp! 

What I saw was the cage not only on the floor but upside down as well; thankfully, at least the cage door was still shut!  Birdseed and water were scattered all over the rug, but Miss Nellie, the kitty, was nowhere to be seen. I’m sure the sudden toppling of the large cage and ensuing racket sent her flying.  Picking up and righting Peanut’s “home,” I was very grateful to see that no damage had been done, other than the soggy mess on the floor, and that Peanut was just as cheery and vocal as if nothing unusual at all had occurred.  It made me think guiltily about how upset and frightened I would be if anything a whole lot bigger than I had “rattled and dumped my cage.”  God bless Peanut!

So, another great lesson and reminder from my Heavenly Father sent via my little friend ... a safe “landing” for Peanut showed me that even when danger threatens, I can still keep my song going, as long as I remember to always keep my thoughts on the Lord and joy in my heart.  Sing on, little bird; sing on!

“For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”