I have a little parakeet. Every time I come into my house, she starts to sing and gives me little bird kisses. I worry though because she rarely leaves her cage and I feel badly for her. So, I decided to buy her a little bird playground. It has ladders she can climb on, swings to swing on and perches to sit on.

I thought she would really like her little playground. I placed it front of her cage, opened her door and waited. She hated it! She climbed to the back of the cage and refused to even look at it. I took her out of her cage and placed her on it and she flew right back into her cage. The sad part is that I know she would like it if she would try it.

This all made me think about my relationship with God. I wonder what wonderful things God wants me to try but I am too stubborn, or frightened to even try. My little bird has taught me a great lesson. She sees my gift, the little playground, as a frightening thing. I see the opportunities God sets before me as frightening.

There will be a day when my bird leaves her cage and plays on the playground. I pray that I will someday be able to experience life as God wants me to--without fear and anxiety.