Amy Beth

April 25, 2013

May You Be as the Ostrich

For those that struggle to be content with who you are, who wish you were more talented, more daring, more charming, more productive, just….more. Be encouraged by these words:

> “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stork.
> She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand,
> unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them.
> She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain,
> for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of good sense.
> Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider. (Job 39:13-18 NIV)

The ostrich is not beautiful, especially compared to the graceful stork.
She is not a loving, patient mother. In fact, she hardly seems to notice her children.
She isn’t wise. She doesn’t always make the most reasonable choices. She wastes time.

But notice: she is joyful. She laughs. Because she knows what she was made for. She was made to run. She doesn’t worry that she is not good at so many other things. She doesn’t compare herself to other birds. She doesn’t lament that she can’t fly. She rejoices that she can run.

So may you be as the ostrich. May you rejoice when you do that thing that God has called you to do. May you run, or sing, or write, or serve. May you nourish souls while you fill bellies, or laugh with a friend who just needs to relax. May you coax young plants out of the earth, or coax young minds into a whole new world. Whatever is that God has made you to do, may you do it with pleasure.

And don’t worry what others think. Don’t try to compare yourself with them. Remember, God doesn’t mind that the ostrich is so ugly and dumb. Because when the ostrich runs, he is proud to call her His creation.

One response to “May You Be as the Ostrich”

  1. Momma Kuss says:

    You are so wise! How did you get that way? I’m still trying to get this through my head after all these years!