There are moments in life when something bad or tragic happens to us and 
instead of having the proper attitude of knowing that we can become 
better, we believe the lie that our life is now hindered and not fixable.
What we must understand is that a new beginning is always available even 
in the midst of great heartache. We can suffer great adversity, but if we
have the right attitude, we can come forth better, stronger and wiser than
we were before. It is all in how we see the situation. Our perspective 
will dictate whether we become bitter or become better. Be encouraged to
have the right perspective knowing that every trial, tragedy, heartbreak 
and loss can be used to our benefit if we allow ourselves to learn the 
lesson and move forward in confidence. (Romans 8:28) (Jeremiah 33:3)

Life is all about learning. Learning what we can handle, learning from our
trials, learning from what others have done to us. When we use what we've
learned to our benefit, we will become so strong that nothing will be able
to discourage our hearts. We will have become Supermen and Superwomen who
will be confident in their ability to handle all of life's challenges 
great and small. Remember that no matter what happens to you, you can use
it to better yourself so that your life will not only be beneficial to 
you, but also to those around you. (James 1:19-25) (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

I hope this message inspires and encourages your heart to see that even 
when tragedy strikes, we can overcome and become better than we were before.


LITTLE LOPSY

Little Lopsy literally fluttered into our home and our hearts one Saturday
morning this summer. My husband had to run an errand, and when he opened 
the front door there was a great flutter on the ground and something (at 
first I thought it was a bat) came into the living room. It was clear that
whatever it was, was hurt.

I was in a bit of a shock and didn't know what to do next. Fortunately it
calmed down and tried to hide itself in a corner. It was just a bundle of
skin and gray fluff, and I realized it was a sparrow chick. There are a 
few house sparrow nests under the awning of our apartment building, and 
this little fellow must have fallen out and hurt itself. It was also very,
very young, and obviously far from ready to leave the safety of the nest.

I ran to the shed and found a box. Having read somewhere that one shouldn't
touch a baby bird with one's hands (because by doing so one could cause 
the parents to reject it), I picked the chick up with a hand towel and put
it in the box. I placed the box outside the front door in the hope that 
the parents would try to feed it. They never came near it and I brought it
inside. I placed the box on a table in the spare bedroom and it slept for
about twenty hours. We later learned that it is quite normal for a hurt 
bird to sleep so much after undergoing such a traumatic experience.

When it eventually woke up we carefully examined it for wounds or blood, 
but fortunately there wasn't any. It was totally lopsided, though: it had
hurt its right wing and leg, which meant it must have landed on its right
side when it fell out of the nest. We named it Lopsy.

After doing a bit of research on the internet we felt there was a chance 
that it might survive, but we weren't sure that it would ever be able to 
fly. A hurt bird doesn't stand much of a chance of survival and could fall
easy prey to cats, other predators or the elements. Was it fair to allow 
it to live if it meant keeping it in a cage its whole life? It was a tough
decision, but we decided to give it a go. It goes without saying that Lopsy
was a much prayed over little bird.

We started off by dripping drops of water into its beak with a small spoon.
It was very thirsty and drank quite a bit. Next we spoon-fed it with bread 
soaked in water. That seemed to go down well. Our household routine soon 
revolved around Lopsy who needed to be fed about every three hours during 
the day. At least it slept right through the night. Fortunately we live 
on campus and my husband was able to come home during his breaks to feed 
our new baby.

After a couple of days I got quite concerned because its 'birdy-doo' 
wasn't looking as it should. My husband had the great idea of mixing small
amounts of raw liver with the bread and water, and this seemed to do the 
trick. Soon Lopsy was growing nicely. The bigger it got, the more vocal it
became. There was no doubt as to who was ruling the roost.

We remained concerned because its leg did not heal, and its wing seemed 
quite useless. I took it outside for a bit of exercise every day. I also 
hoped it would get used to the sights and sounds of nature. In the 
beginning all it was interested in was staying as close to me as possible.

Anyway, it got stronger and started hopping (mostly sideways) on the 
grass, and one day Lopsy found a hedge it liked. It got to the point where
I would leave it outside under its hedge for about two hours at a time 
while I kept an eye on developments from our kitchen window. Soon Lopsy 
figured out how to get from one branch to another.

It also got to the point where it could flutter down from my hand to the 
ground, and I let it do this over and over again to exercise its wings. 
Then came the day that it actually flew into the hedge. We were overjoyed
when this happened.

Eventually it got to the point where I left it outside in its hedge all 
day and night, but I would still go outside to feed it. Lopsy remained 
vocal and would hop over for its food as soon as I came into view. I left
some bread crumbs on the wall next to the hedge, but it would have none of
it. The little rascal was totally spoiled and wanted to be spoon fed, but
I saw him pecking quite happily as soon as I left his line of vision. Some
of the bigger species of birds were a bit aggressive towards Lopsy, and I
continued to keep a close eye on it.

Not long after this we saw Lopsy flying without a problem and praised God
for it. It still hopped to the side, but that didn't seem to hinder it in
any way. Other birds seemed quite curious about Lopsy. At first it chased
them away if they came too close to its hedge, but Lopsy soon seemed to 
realize that they were of its own kind and it stopped doing so. Then, one
day, our fledgling 'left the nest'. We never saw it again, but I know 
Little Lopsy is now leading the life God meant it to live.

This experience has taught me a few important lessons, namely that things
are never as desperate as they seem, and not to give up hope as long as 
there is still life.

By Belinda Van Rensburg


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

1 Peter 2:9-10 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who
hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light: Which in time 
past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not 
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all 
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and 
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”

Psalm 91:14-16 “Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I 
deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He 
shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and
shew him My salvation.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today’s Selected Poem: THE ROAD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem83.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: HOW GOD USED CANCER TO BLESS ME
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony145.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry