The Amazing Moment When Help Comes

The pigeon population on my daughter Sarah’s animal rescue facility is thriving. More baby pigeons (squabs) hatch every year and their practice flights are going strong. There is a large, safe enclosure that they are free to come in and out of and a specific area for nesting. She has some rather big pigeons so the entrance for the birds needs to accommodate them but at the same time restrict larger predator birds from getting inside. It’s a delicate balance for sure.

One day while doing security checks, she found a hawk inside the pigeon enclosure. It was a very frightened bird. She opened the large outer door to let him escape, but he was missing the access to freedom and kept hitting the side wall. She quickly covered him with a towel to keep him still and gently picked him up and carried him out into the main yard. When she removed the towel and let him go, he flew to the top of the roof, where he remained for several minutes before taking off across the field.

The realization of need

I can imagine what happened: this hawk sees the pigeons flying in their ever-widening circle over the facility and decides that this day would be a good day for a feast. The hawk relentlessly pursues the pigeons, and somehow squeezes in as he follows their retreat inside the loft…and then realizes that he can’t get out.

His tunnel vision had put him in a rather precarious position. Perhaps he was hungry and plump pigeons were just too much of a temptation, so he flew into danger without even knowing it was there.

As my daughter was grabbing the towel to help rescue him, I stepped inside and quickly took this picture. He didn’t even try to move which is certainly not normal for a wild bird of prey. I kept my distance, but he was clearly frightened at his inability to escape.

Assistance from others

Sometimes we do the same thing: run headlong into a situation and then find ourselves in some kind of trouble. We move too fast with blinders on to notice the warning signs that are clearly there.

And then we need help getting out.

But we don’t always recognize that help when it comes. We too, might be blinded by fear or even pride, or simply cannot imagine a way out and are frozen with indecision. But help always comes and sometime in a way that is unexpected. But the promise of the Lord’s help taught by John is real:

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come unto you.” 

Faith always helps

Having faith in this promise will open our eyes and our understanding to see the help when it does come. Because just like the hawk, there are times that we need help but are fighting against it. Sarah opened the door to allow him to leave on his own, but in his panic (or inability) he kept missing the mark.

Knowing that heaven is on our side we can more easily accept help instead of fighting against it and then our escape is a little less scary.

Sometimes we are the ones gently helping to rescue those who need our assistance. There is no possible way that any of us could get through this life without the help of family and friends and even strangers upon occasion.

We can’t very well throw towels over someone who needs escape, especially if they are choosing to remain in the situation, but we can cover them with love and prayer and know that they are not ever alone in their struggles because the Lord is aware of all things and loves them more than we could ever imagine.

Help from heaven is real and sure and always available. May we always have eyes to see.