Jump

      The boy watched the little bird on the edge of the nest, sitting there in eternal contemplation, as if all the world were before him, his hopes and his dreams all but a wing’s breath away. He could see the mother bird flying back and for the chirping songs of encouragement. The little bird then spread one wing to its maximum length as if to stretch away all his doubts and fears. Next, he extended the other wing as if he were pushing away any other choice but to fly. He could feel the gentle breeze kiss his face as if all the universe conspired to this one moment where this one small sparrow hinged on this instance. His whole life seemed about this one twinkle in time. And then, as if pushed on by his heart to fly or to fall simply on faith, he leapt. He leapt with the faith of Peter walking on water and as if without choice.

      The boy held his breath, and in accord, the leaves and the world froze in the blink of an eye. It seemed as though the sparrow fell forever, but with wings stretched wide and God’s gentle hand carrying him with the spring winds, he flew, higher and higher and gloriously without strings. With a smile, the boy realized that the jump was never the pivotal moment. It was the point when the bird’s heart whispered that life should never be about fear because the anticipation of failure is always worse than the tries. It was when it realized that no heart ever suffered when chasing a dream. Turning from the window, the boy would ever more understand that the greatest part of a journey was not when you finished but the process of the journey itself. It is when you realize that God has unlocked the mystery of your dreams to your heart and that nothing can stand against you and that the voice in your heart is God telling you that your soul is his soul and that you are a miracle, that you can do miracles, and that the best way to glorify God is to jump.