A Good Exchange

I think I am kin to a saint.  Really!  A sixth century saint named Kevin.  I know Kevin is not as well known as Peter, or Francis, or Patrick, but he was a real life saint, nonetheless.  How do I know?  Well, it is kinda like a little bird told me.  Really!  St. Kevin of Glendalough was a Celtic monk who went in his prayer cell at the beginning of Lent.  It was so small that when he extended his arms to praise God, one arm went out the window.  A blackbird landed in his hand and as the story goes, St. Kevin neither closed or moved his hand for the whole season of Lent while the blackbird built a nest, laid and hatched eggs, and the baby blackbirds flew away.   

My story is just a bit different.  I was sitting outside this afternoon under a pecan tree. I was sitting very still, so still that a bird landed on my arm.  It had a green hood, a reddish brown circle around its neck, and an light red breast.  It was much smaller than a blackbird and it stayed less than ten seconds before flying into the tree above.  For a moment we were together.  I looked closely at it.  I am not sure if it looked at me as I did it. As the bird lifted from my arm, I thought of St. Kevin and smiled.  

I wonder if God smiled at the moment of pleasure and praise afforded me this afternoon.  The Word does speak of Him seeing the sparrow so maybe I was seen by Him along with the bird which blessed me with its presence.  It was a holy and unexpected moment.  My arm provided the bird with a resting place and the bird provided me a blessing.  It was a good exchange.  I am grateful for it.