A Stiff Neck

With a stiff little neck
Feeling cramped and alone
The time has come
To leave the safe zone.

What was needed to protect
Is eventually outgrown
Becoming a barrier
To a full life of her own.

With no hesitation
Not full of fears
With no crippling words
Filling her ears.

The baby bird,
Far beyond me,
Breaks through the shell
To fly and be free.

It’s okay she takes a rest
All along the way
That tough exterior
Wasn’t built in a day.

And once she’s out
She’s an ugly mess
Vulnerable and weak
And all out of breath.

But there’s the nest
Made with love and care
To hold her gently
As long as she’s there.

Gathering strength and courage
Being fed bits of food
She realizes soon
There’s more than this, too.

Trembling slightly
Up on the edge
She leaps with faith
Toward what’s up ahead.

Never wondering or worrying
What will happen if she does
The beautiful bird soars
Filled with joy, all abuzz.

Profound and magical
What can be
When we embrace God’s gifts
Wholeheartedly.