The Wren – A Parable

The wren Mary Helen and I found singing its heart out one day, is to me a parable. The wren is a tiny bird and quite ordinary in its plumage. Yet its song sweetens the whole atmosphere around it, even on a hot, dry day. Have you ever noticed that it’s often the inconspicuous and quiet people who bless a family or gathering. Not flashy, or overly demonstrative, or pushy, they are often the strong, stable types who provide the ballast for society.

As Paul wrote, “not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, …the week…the base…and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:26-29) Or as Christ taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).

Lord help us to be meek without being afraid to act decisively for the kingdom. Help our lives to be an encouragement to others. Help us to be stable and faithful without being ostentatious. Help us to be happy to sing like the wren even if we can’t be an opera singer or crack the hall of fame. (The image below is a sparrow, equally non-descript. I don’t have a picture of the wren.)