A Precious Bird

A Precious Bird

A few years ago when my oldest son Jared was seven, he was playing outside with his friend who lived up the street. Jared came into the house to tell me that there was a dead bird on the sidewalk. My first thought was to tell him not to touch it but to leave it alone and I would come out and put it in the garbage.

By the look on my son’s face, I could see he was feeling sad over this little creature. I didn’t want to add any more heartache to the situation, so I gave Jared some gloves. I told him to get his shovel and go into the back field and bury it. I suggested he could say a prayer for this bird when he was done burying it.

I was in the kitchen and could see the two boys in the field behind our property. After they had dug the hole and buried the bird, I could see them bowing their heads in humble prayer. It touched my heart to see the faith of these two boys.

What happened next was unexpected. As the boys were praying, the clouds pulled aside to let a sunbeam shine through the spot they were standing on. They looked up to the sky and then at each other. It was as if they realized this was no coincidence. My son came running into the house shouting, “Did you see that, Mommy! Did you see that!”  “Yes, I saw it,” I replied. As all three of us looked out the window, we could still see the light shining on the resting place. I told the boys it was the Lord’s way of thanking them for their kindness.

I had not given this bird much thought, but realized we all learned a valuable lesson that day. Our Heavenly Father does see our every act of kindness and he loves every living thing.

Matthew 25:40,

Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.