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I came home late from a prayer meeting last night; no one was upstairs. I slumped in a cozy chair and Silas just stared at me. He doesn't talk but somehow, his little presence has kept me company over this past year. He sings in the morning when I'm doing the dishes and becomes a bit shy around new people. He has bright orange cheeks. Silas is a cockatiel.
Maybe it seems a little silly to be thankful for my bird but I am. I picked him out last year from a chaotic animal bazaar. He has been one of my favorite birthday gifts to date.
I decidedly named him Silas because, even though he is caged, he sings. He's a living analogy. I've always loved the story in Acts where Paul and Silas sing in prison and the doors break open and chains fall off, "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once ALL THE PRISON DOORS FLEW OPEN AND EVERYBODY'S CHAINS CAME LOOSE." (Acts 16:25)
Living in the Middle East as an American woman has, at times, felt like living in a cage. Even in 110-115 degree temps, I may never wear shorts or short sleeves in public- elbows must be covered- gasp! I cannot walk or taxi anywhere alone. There are no gyms where I can simply go at anytime to work-out and release pent up emotion. Silas has been a powerful reminder that circumstances and physical boundaries do not limit the songs in one's heart. One's attitude, one's behavior is a choice.
He's also been a reminder that intercession and worship, in such a context, can unleash an even greater reality for those around you. For Paul and Silas, their prayers and songs set free a prison full of captives and brought salvation to a certain jailer's entire family! Sometimes I really wish I could take a bigger glimpse into the heavens and see all the doors being opened and chains falling off as we pray and sing love songs to Jesus in this land...
Silas sings a few songs that's I've been consistently repeating by playing to him every day. One of them is actually a hymn called "In the Garden." He can whistle the tune of the chorus. It's a reminder that no matter the valleys or the mountains, with plenty or in want, as long as my King is with me, that is reason enough to worship.
Chorus
And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
Verse 2
He speaks and the sounds of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Maybe it seems a little silly to be thankful for my bird but I am. I picked him out last year from a chaotic animal bazaar. He has been one of my favorite birthday gifts to date.
I decidedly named him Silas because, even though he is caged, he sings. He's a living analogy. I've always loved the story in Acts where Paul and Silas sing in prison and the doors break open and chains fall off, "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once ALL THE PRISON DOORS FLEW OPEN AND EVERYBODY'S CHAINS CAME LOOSE." (Acts 16:25)
Living in the Middle East as an American woman has, at times, felt like living in a cage. Even in 110-115 degree temps, I may never wear shorts or short sleeves in public- elbows must be covered- gasp! I cannot walk or taxi anywhere alone. There are no gyms where I can simply go at anytime to work-out and release pent up emotion. Silas has been a powerful reminder that circumstances and physical boundaries do not limit the songs in one's heart. One's attitude, one's behavior is a choice.
He's also been a reminder that intercession and worship, in such a context, can unleash an even greater reality for those around you. For Paul and Silas, their prayers and songs set free a prison full of captives and brought salvation to a certain jailer's entire family! Sometimes I really wish I could take a bigger glimpse into the heavens and see all the doors being opened and chains falling off as we pray and sing love songs to Jesus in this land...
Silas sings a few songs that's I've been consistently repeating by playing to him every day. One of them is actually a hymn called "In the Garden." He can whistle the tune of the chorus. It's a reminder that no matter the valleys or the mountains, with plenty or in want, as long as my King is with me, that is reason enough to worship.
Chorus
And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
Verse 2
He speaks and the sounds of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.