This morning, I found a baby swallow alone on the ground near our water tank.
At first, I ignored it - being no stranger to the way of the world in Nature. I fully expected it to gain its strength and fly off.
I kept walking, went to the river and looked around at the state of overgrowth we always have here during the rainy season.
I returned a while later, deep in thought, only to find the same juvenile swallow where I'd left it. We were both still a moment as we scrutinized one another.
I decided to "rescue" it.
It wasn't really in any danger just yet, but our cats would see to it soon enough if I did nothing.
It tried to escape me a bit, failed and let me pick it up.
"What beautiful eyes!" I whispered to it. They were big and brown; frightened, but lovely.
I held it in two hands as I returned to our house - wishing I'd brought my phone to snap a picture. Oh well, there was time for that later.
Once home, I saw to it that this teensy fellow was housed appropriately in an empty bird cage we had lying around and set up in my room to monitor while I work.
Valkyrie, my cockatiel, was hardly cogniscent of the newcomer's arrival. She was much more preoccupied with being fed; as usual. She'll be going on a diet soon.
I originally thought it a young nighthawk, but they're far fluffier and not as darkly colored. They're also bigger.
My Aunt in the States identified it as a swallow, but its exact type is yet a mystery.
Swallows are insectivorous birds and incredibly deft flyers. They're common on farms in North America. Looks like Central American farms are no exception.
On top of topping up my Cute-o-Meter for a good while, this temporary guest has brought with it a revelation. That God is indeed monitoring my progress through the trials of this life.
This swallow is symbolic...
It represents my own struggles to find myself, my purpose; my wings.
It is but one of many symbols God has bombarded me with of late, but it is by far the clearest.
Just yesterday, I was under the impression I was being tested.
My laptop of 7 years began malfunctioning severely. I did my usual analysis - ultimately pinpointing the origin of the problem as being hardware-related.
I never quite figured out what was causing it though; an unusual occurrence. It's back to normal at the moment.
As my day progressed, an interesting idea came to mind; that such strange occurrences were not tests at all, but symbolic representations of our progress in this life experience.
My laptop malfunctioning despite my best efforts (as a reasonably skilled technician) could point to a number of things, but I took it intuitively as reflecting change; raw change. A metamorphosis of my life from old realities to new realities.
You see, I'd been meaning to get a new laptop, but the MSI I covet is priced pretty high. Oddly enough, I received compensation for a bit of work I'd completed some while back just yesterday and multiple offers for additional work to boot. I'll have more than enough for it soon.
"'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master - that's all.'
We are the masters at the moment, and not only at the moment, but for a very long time to come."
Lord Shawcross
As masters of our own lives, it is truly up to us to evolve into that which we aim to be.
As we strive to do so, God sends us clues as to our progress and the direction we're moving in.
He sent me a young, grounded swallow. Will I nurse it to health and release it, or will it die before experiencing the bliss and freedom of flight?
Take note of God's symbolic messages. He is watching and he is waiting. We have a chance at joining him, but we must first grow into our wings and take flight.
When I went on to continue my walk, I nearly stepped on a massive king snake. I'll let you guys guess what that message means. ;)
Disturbances in your life are signs you are progressing. They are signs you are changing; transforming. God is speaking to you as he does to us all. He is helping you to see.
Though you may have fallen from your nest, there are endless possibilities for you in the skies above. They are beckoning you to freedom. Do not lament the loss of your warm nest, rejoice in the manifestation of your self-chosen destiny.
