When we moved to Phoenix 33 years ago we were sequestered in an inner city tract house. It was quite adequate for survival but I was born and raised country and as the song says, I was very aware of my (as Blake Shelton sings) "hillbilly" bone. To satisfy my country yearnings I started to raise birds in the backyard...ok it got a little out of hand when we had thousands...litterally...but I loved it. If I had to pick one highlight moment it had to be the day my prize Cockatiel escaped the flight cage. He was a beautiful yellow male, one of my best birds. I hesitated a moment to long in closing the door as I left the cage and he shot past my head and rocketed straight up. I would have been really bummed out about losing that prize but the sight of that bird in full flight AND the sound of his song of freedom was so beautiful I was actually glad he escaped. As he rolled and looped for the first time in his life unfettered in the air he burst into song that touched my soul. A blind man could plainly see he was born for this. To this day my ears are tuned to that song...and I am hearing it more often. Cockatiel now live free in the area. Not many but when I see one I always pause to remember and watch because every one I have seen flying free sings the same song of freedom while dancing in the air. They just can't seem to help themselves. It would seem that Cockatiel know they were born to be free even though the vast majority of them are born in captivity. Why aren't we as smart as these little birds. We are born in captivity too but content to stay there. Jesus said the truth would make us free...we were born to be free. Why are we content to be in the cage? I'm thinking most folks don't even have a clue as to what true freedom is. Do you? Are you living free. To be truly free you must know why you are here, do you? I am beginning to learn what freedom really is. I can't say that I am there yet, but I am not were I was. One day soon I hope to break free completely and sing and dance in the sky!
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Reminds me of a song I love too, by Francesca Battestelli...
"I gotta couple dents in my fender, got a couple rips in my jeans, I try and put the pieces together, but perfection is my enemy. On my own I'm so clumsy, but on your shoulders I can see....I'm free to be me!"
I remember that day clearly. I was standing beside you in the backyard when it happened and I'll never forget that bird's first flight of freedom either. It really was a site to behold. I find it more difficult to leave the cage I think but I WANT to fly like that. :)
soaking this one in... i love it. (oh and aimee - i love that song!)
i was in new zealand visiting the farmer friend of warren. we were there the day he let the youngest calves out of the barn the first time - oh you should have seen them run and dance and kick and play! they were still in a fence and one ran so fast he didn't even see it and hopped over it only to land face to face with the farmer - who safely urged him back the other way. the boundary kept him safe from harm... but he was no longer captive in that barn - he had room to run free-er. it was amazing to watch as their boundaries were gradually broadened as they were matured and ready. i like being ready for more freedom knowing THE FARMER is always watching my dance of the next phase of freedom and ready to gently steer me back in if i run too far. i don't need to worry about being TOOOO free because he's always there... so i say let freedom ring... let's take this thing as far as we can with Him. :)
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