The Thorn Bird: There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain…. Or so says the legend.

This beautiful story presents so many thoughts. I ask myself, Am I living for God as unselfishly as the Thorn Bird?, searching and seeking only to fulfill it’s purpose and that purpose only! Or am I causing the blessings that others will experience from my sacrifice, such as the ones experienced just from that one song, sang by the Thorn Bird right before it’s death, to be delayed! Am I constantly extending my time here on this earth by not getting down to business and remaining in tune with my Father’s Business! Ask yourself these questions as well and evaluate where you are in comparison to the life of a bird….

Did you know?:
Thorn Birds are found in Bolivia, central Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina, and, possibly, in far northern Uruguay. They’re also known as Ovenbirds: Furnariidae – Greater Thornbird (phacellodomus Ruber). Greater thornbirds are the reddest in color and among the largest in size of the ovenbirds. This species has a stout, plump, body and a long tail. They have a short, pointed bill that is slightly downcurved.