The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

-John 10:13, NIV

Years ago, I was a happy cat owner. Birds were not on my radar as pets. That all changed with Mrs. DM a few years into our marriage.

She started volunteering at a local parrot rescue. Sometimes the parrots at the rescue were surrendered, because they were unwanted and other times because the owners could no longer care for the birds.

After working there for a period of time, they rescue owner was fine with us taking a pair of Green Cheek Conures home. So, that is how we got our first two parrots, Trip and Kirk.

Now, these birds were a concession to Mrs. DM when they first came to live with us. I was humoring her. That would change.

One day, Trip was being adventurous. He was exploring the floor and went underneath the coach. Unfortunately, there was a glue trap under that coach. He got stuck.

It was in that moment that I discovered I cared about that silly bird. Trip had wormed his way into my heart. He wasn’t just an animal I tolerated in my home. He mattered to me!

I am happy to report that Trip is fine and healthy. He continues to be a real snuggle buddy when he is in a mood to be so.

This I share as a lesson to us as God’s creatures. If I could get attached to a little bird, I am sure our Perfect Father is FAR more attached to us!

Trip did not necessarily understand all that we were doing to free him from the “sticky” situation. I bet it was painful. Yet that did not change our love for him.

The same thing goes for God in our “sticky” and painful life situations. He cares! He is the GOOD Shepherd, not the hired hand.