Parrots like to have a regular routine; we’re not called ‘flying toddlers’ for nothing, so this means that we find any change rather difficult to deal with. So you can imagine what it’s been like for me over these last few weeks with strange humans entering our house and doing all kinds of terrible things to it. There’s been drilling and hammering; smashing and crashing; thumping and bumping and wild laughter and shouts. And not only that; strange new objects have suddenly appeared including a jar labelled up as “Shit Coffee” and a tin 0f biscuits which reads “Unfit for Dogs.” But strangest of all is their plastic “nest pod” which they’ve parked outside on our driveway. Every so often, they open up the door and disappear inside for a roost. And they call this “nest pod” their “port-a-loo.”
These invaders are always very upbeat and cheerful about the damage they are inflicting around our house, and my owner and his wife simply let them do it. In fact, they’ve become refugees in their own home, having to move from one side to the other and then back again, depending upon where these human invaders want to inflict their violence.
On some days, there is no electricity or Wi-Fi; or else the water goes off, or a huge hole appears where there used to be a solid wall. And all this means that my human family are learning to be grateful for the most important things that they still have in their lives. Things like a cup of tea; a roof over their heads, a bed to sleep in, or a parrot to tickle. Perhaps they are beginning to learn that they really don’t need all of their ‘stuff’ and clutter. After all, Jesus had nothing but the clothes He was wearing, and look what He went on to achieve.
Sometimes, it is only when you lack what you take for granted, that you begin to realise what really matters in life. So despite all of the chaos, I hope that my human family are learning an important life lesson which will make them better people!
“You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.” (Corrie ten Boon: [1892-1983]: Dutch Christian writer and survivor of a Nazi concentration camp)
“We can see hope in the midst of hopelessness. We can see peace in the midst of chaos. We have a hope that the world does not have.”
(Priscilla Shirer: [1974-present]: American author and evangelist)
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.”
