Offering

In its littleness, little bird wonders how it will please such a great and glorious Majesty. It turns to the words of Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego who offered themselves up and were delivered from the intense flames of the furnace by the hand of the Lord: "But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received; as though it were holocausts of rams and bullocks, of thousands of fat lambs, So let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. And now we follow you with our whole heart, we fear you and we pray to you. Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy." 1.

My Offering

Kindling of my broken self
Placed in the hearth of my heart;
Tinder dry from sacrifice;
Awaiting the Divine Spark.

Once headstrong, now docile;
Once the greatest, now the least;
Once the victor, now victim:
Mortified from untamed beast.

Attracted by the air of prayer
From the beast humbled and tame
Offering itself totally:
Divine Spark enkindles the Flame.

Present an offering to Him that entices:
A kindling of self dried by sacrifices.

Little bird strives to offer up little sacrifices each hour: desires not indulged; temptations passed by; harmful words not spoken; little acts of charity; little signs of love. Over many days of countless sacrifices, little bird is preparing to receive its Master more fully.

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1. Daniel 3:39-42
image courtesy of Hermanolian Clipart