A brown bird of hope

The Voice of the Martyrs writes that Asia Bibi has spent almost three years in a Pakistani prison on charges that she blasphemed Islam’s prophet Muhammad.  The Voice of the Martyrs writes also that Asia, who is a Christian, has felt blessed while in her cell on death row.  She’s encountered a regular visitor in the form of a brown bird who comes to sit near her for 10 minutes at a time, and they’ve become friends.  Having wondered on occasion why he comes, she’s concluded he’s a blessing from God and a messenger, as he’s brought her encouragement and peace.  And so I’ve pondered this idea of the Lord blessing a human by nonhuman means.  Is the notion of the bird too far-fetched?  This is not an animated Cinderella movie or Snow White or Bambi.  This is real life.  In 1 Kings 17:1-6, the Lord ordered ravens to deliver bread and meat to Elijah.  They came twice a day, just as now Asia’s brown bird comes in the morning around 4:00 and in the evening around 5:00.  Indeed all of creation is His and at His disposal.  Nothing can separate us from God's love.  And so we continue to pray for Asia.