Mockingbird Innocence

Are your thoughts disorganized from this unexpected and oddly threatening, yet quiet time?

The mockingbird seems scattered in his thoughts. He cannot finish a song. He’s so enthralled with one, he belts it out until another distracts his perky little mind, and he quickly switches with as much enthusiasm as he sang the first.

I’m like the mockingbird, a thought strikes me like a gong, and, shook up,  I investigate. I  hum with the ringing to listen for nuances and study where the ever-widening circles of vibration will travel. How does this sound fit into the broader world? What is it saying? Then, Ding!  Another thought rings a note on top of the gong, and I must abandon my meditation to pursue the dangling note. I’m both delighted in its facets yet frustrated that I cannot work a single thought to the end of its course, before another bumps it aside.

Oh to be as the mockingbird! Enjoy the song while it lasts, then relish the interruption of a different strain with equal attention. Take each as it comes, without edit or addition, like individual charms added to a bracelet, instead of melting them down with others to be molded into something quite different from the original.

Self! Breathe the innocence of the mockingbird. Shrink to the stature of a child and laugh on Jesus’ knee instead of pelting Him with theoretical questions and demanding answers. Crawl into God’s lap as a weaned child with her mother. Snuggle into the curve of his shoulder without a need for something more, other than to share each other’s presence and to enjoy the music.

Mark 10:13People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

 

Psalm 131:2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

10 thoughts on “Mockingbird Innocence”

  1. This is what I think the mockingbird is saying;

    Rejoice always,pray continually,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

  2. And snuggle in with God!

    Maybe the ever shifting thoughts are because we have slowed down enough to find creativity and imagination in fight. It can be a refreshing switch from narrow pressured concentration to accomplish. I wonder, can I accomplish things with lightness or must it be honed-in pressure and intenseness to accomplish a task. Not talking about focus – thinking about stress.

    Thinking out loud 🙂

    1. Good question and one I’ve been mulling over too. I get more done with a little pressure, but there’s a tricky balance to keep motivation springing from love and thanksgiving and not have tos and shoulds. When they get super heavy, I have to examine why I’m doing what I’m doing. Also, I think USA culture has something to do with this question. What do you think?

  3. Beautiful post! In the midst of the steady stream of sounds, may He give each of us ears to hear His very personal song of love and delight. And may He also grant grace to respond back to Him with our unique songs of praise and lives of submission and service.
    The Lord your God is with you,
    the Mighty Warrior who saves.
    He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

  4. Kathryn Diamond

    I love to watch the Mockingbirds outside my window and how they flit from one branch to another to check each one out and then stop and sing. It makes me wonder what is so special about the branches he sings about because before long, there are 2 or 3 other birds coming to check them out. I picture myself, in my mind, doing my normal days work and how I am interrupted by the phone ringing, having to leave for an appt. or my dog, Sabrina, wanting to go outside. Each time I find myself checking to see who is calling, do I have to leave yet for my appt. and checking to see if Sabrina wants to come in. Most of the time, I am listening to the audio bible when these interruptions occur and I have to pause it for those few minutes or for that appt. and each time while I wait, I ask God why that happened (in ancient times) or why were the people so bound and determined to go against His teaching. Then I wait for His answer. That is my free time to ponder His plan for us and all of His creation and the plans he has for us. That is when I feel most at peace and find a calmness in my life that blots out all of the thoughts that come crashing in. I listen to Christian music and try to sing along even if I don’t know the words and I feel as though He is riding in the car with me on the way to my appt. and when I get to my destination, I don’t worry or think of what is going to happen next and I am sure the Mockingbird is the same way. We both have a song in our hearts. I have learned to take life as it comes and I believe the Mockingbird does the same thing.

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