MERIDIAN —  On a limb that swings

sits a bird that sings

because he has wings.

Amen



    Isn’t that lovely? My dear friend, Ruth Ethridge, recently shared with our entire congregation the above prayer rendered so sweetly by her Baptist Student Union sponsor, Riley Mundy, when she was a student at University of Southern Mississippi. Although that was more than a few years ago, Ruth remembers the sentiments spoken at that time as a constant guide for her life.

    Have you found yourself perched upon that proverbial swinging limb? Holding on, balancing, and floundering – the ups and downs of life. What to do? What to say? Ah, but then the song, the beautiful song of hope emerged from within and the comfort of the wings that could take you higher to a better place – a transitional space and time of peace.



    And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

    shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 4:7



    One of my favorite poems:



I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps

on the back of the wind

and floats downstream

till the current ends

and dips his wings

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.



But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.



The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill for the caged bird

sings of freedom



The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.



But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing



The caged bird sings

with a fearful trill

of things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill

for the caged bird

sings of freedom.

— Maya Angelou

 

    So today, allow the song to fill your heart – no matter the circumstances of the day. ~This too shall pass~ is a proverb attributed to many cultures: Persian, Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, and others, I’m certain.  The phrase indicated that all material conditions, positive or negative, whether human or matter, truths or untruths, are temporary.

    People and circumstances come into our lives, I have found, as blessings and others as lessons. Some to build you up and others to test your strength and integrity. People leave your life for a reason – don’t stress over it. In my life, it has been when I am certain of who I am – my character, that I am most at peace. Am I compassionate, dependable, positive, encouraging, truthful, generous, and a good friend? Oh, I have failed many times, but I continue to strive to do better – even when swinging on that limb.

    As we flounder upon the limb seeking hope and peace, I am reminded of another favorite poem:



Hope is the Thing with Feathers

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,



And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.



I've heard it in the chilliest land

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

— Emily Dickinson



    Emily Dickinson’s life was indeed lived upon a proverbial swinging limb. She was confronted by death after death of dear friends, some at very early ages, and as well as the deaths of close family members. She found herself as a caregiver for an invalid mother at a very early age.  Her poetry reflected the melancholy and as well as the hopefulness that consumed her life.  Yet, she acknowledged the hope, the sweet tune that never stops at all.

    It is my great hope today that the limb that swings in your life will allow a song to sing in your heart and mine as well, however, the wings are there, just in case.



    Anne B. McKee is an author and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Visit her website at www.annemckee.net.