Crazy story with a Brewers Blackbird Couple! Just had tears rolling down my cheeks. Shortly after, I found myself in total shock, and not sure what just happened. What a wild ride. I know a few things, the one most prominent, is I HAVE so much compassion for the injured and suffering, and sometimes even a little bird relationship, will mirror the relationships God puts in my life, my own relationship with God, and stirs me up with so much love, care, and heart’s desire for others to know that GOD IS NEAR TO THE BROKENHEARTED AND BINDS UP OUR WOUNDS. He has been so present in my suffering times, and has been a great comfort in binding up my wounds, giving me strength to fly! Isaiah 40:31
The story today goes, I was walking solo. I saw a male Brewers Blackbird sitting behind this restaurant sign, appearing unable to move. His female mate was standing nearby. I watched. She just stood. She looked concerned, looking right at him. She went behind him and started giving him nudges to try and get him to get up and move. When he did not budge, she hopped up into this bush. She sat resting here, looking right over him. She was near and present hovering there. I proceeded to call Maximus to come see if he could figure out what was going on or what to do.
I began crying because I felt so bad for the helpless creature. Maximus said, “I know it’s hard mom. But remember the One Who created him, is still with him. Maximus took off his helmet as he always removes his hats to pray, “Heavenly Father, maybe this bird has served it’s purpose on earth, and it’s old age, or maybe it’s sick and diseased. We don’t know. But You do. We trust You to take care of him. We ask You to heal him, but nevertheless, we believe he is in Your care, thank You, in Jesus name, Amen”.
So he rode off. I had a million thoughts. Thinking of the loyal love of a spouse, to be there. Thinking of that female motivating her mate to get up and keep going. Thinking about friendships. Special ones God gives, and the devotion to stay by that friends side. Thinking about Jesus, He will never leave us or forsake us, even in moments we are sitting alone. That beautiful female near, not leaving.
Then… I walked on, circled back around and something happened. The male was now about three feet from original spot looking like it was on its way out and one wing stretched out to the side. I went inside the restaurant and the friendly lady told me she has seen these birds act strange before. She proceeded to walk out towards it, and ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FLEW behind the bush the female was in!! It GOT UP AND FLEW! She said she thinks these birds, fake it. So my emotions and reflections so deep and prior tears, left me realizing I may have been duped!
However, as I read up on birds I have discovered that it is more common than people realize, they do fake injury. The motivation is to protect their family! They do it to as a distraction if they feel there is a threat of a predator to their young in the next. They draw their attention, elsewhere.
So why did the female not realize this? Was she in on it?
So many questions and the whole event has left me surprised by a lot of emotions and learning so much to share with my sons.
I do know, that God is our protector. He puts that protection in mothers and fathers over our children. He put that ability to protect in such a way in that male bird. I do know that these blackbirds are a couple for life, and it was a beautiful picture of relationships where we are loyal, devoted, there for each other in our struggles. I love the picture of the one pushing in love to encourage to the other to get up and live. I love that Maximus prayed in faith with me for God’s creation. I love that the restaurant worker as she approached boldly, the bird got up and flew!
Sometimes we ALL NEED A LOVING COMPASSIONATE PUSH to get up and go, and after prayers have been prayed, we get up, press on and out of the struggle and walk on.
Anyway, this was all so crazy. Funny. Special. Mind blowing. And beautiful.
Then I looked at these pictures and noticed the bird of prey up in the sky. I wonder was that the threat the blackbird was attempting to distract from it’s young? God knows, and I just know I walked by a little later and the couple was together and near the nest, and Maximus came home later to tell me, the male was spotted once again, flailing around, before it got up and flew again.
A father’s love never ends. And our Heavenly Father’s Love and protection never ends. He went to great lengths through Jesus the Son, the suffering and bleeding on the cross to save us from our sins. He is with His children forever, and will continue to fight for us, empowering us with His strength daily, loving us into eternity.
