The Wren and the Crow
T.A. Huggins
I started the day with coffee and the morning news. The coffee was good; the news was not. There was the list of burglaries, corruption, assaults and murders. The pretty young news commentator was seemingly unaware of the meaning of her words, as she smiled for the camera while spewing forth last night’s evil deeds. Her words made me think that the enemy, that Serpent, seemed to be winning the battle. I turned off the television and continued with my morning routine. Without much enthusiasm I pulled on my workout clothes and drove to the Senior Center. I usually sit a minute and pray a short prayer of thankfulness before I enter. While sitting quietly, the memory of the morning news was hanging on like a toothache.
Thinking about the enormity of the enemy and my own helplessness, I noticed some movement on the roof of the Senior Center. Perched on the peak were four crows. One of the four faced the opposite direction of the others and was making a racket. The other three flew over the roof and out of my line of sight. As I watched the single crow, standing tall, continuing in its fuss, I observed a very small bird ascend the roof toward the crow. The scene brought to mind a cartoon from long ago, in which a much dwarfed cave man approached a gigantic brontosaurus. The crow, calling forth loudly, glanced at the minute wren approaching him. The small avian walked toward the giant, never veering from its course. It was undaunted by the adversary’s size and bluster.
I was reminded of the story of David and Goliath. David, the small shepherd boy, had the courage to go out into the valley and take on the giant Goliath. He walked out with a sling and stones, facing Israel’s enemy, an enemy over nine feet tall covered in bronze, carrying a spear, sword and javelin. David faced this enemy with courage and faith. David’s stone hit his target and the giant Goliath fell.
Still observing the roof, I noted that the small bird was defending a nest in a nearby spruce tree. It walked with determination toward an enemy much larger. It pressed on alone and determined. The mammoth, black noisemaker took flight and left the area. The wren triumphed.
Just a moment before, I had thought, concerning the morning news, that I was small and helpless and the enemy large and formidable. But now I remembered David’s words: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty… “ (1 Samuel 17:45 NIV), and I became greatly encouraged. I sat a moment longer and prayed for the courage of the wren and the faith of David. After my prayer I was emboldened for the day. I was ready to enter the battle with the Lord Almighty. “For the battle is the Lord’s” (I Sam. 17:47 NIV). He uses small wrens. He uses the faith of a shepherd boy to stand against the enemy. I can be used.
Tammi Huggins
thuggins@sbcglobal.net
