Your Mask

It had been over a month before I had to venture out with a mask on my face to shop at the grocery store. Having to do so for that time span caused me to appreciate those on the front line of this pandemic even more. I could not imagine wearing these masks day and night with no freedom to breathe as I had been doing in the comfort of my home. I understood that the privilege to breathe in and out freely with no hindrance was another thing we all have taken for granted just as the toilet paper placed in our bathrooms.

When I saw the commercial that displayed several scared faces of those who battle everyday on our behalf, and to realize it was the continuous wearing of the masks that did it, I broke down and cried. Gratitude exploded within my heart.

Then in contrast, I saw the fighting and bickering of people over items in the grocery stores. It reminded me of the story of “Two Dead Sparrows” published in the Fish Wrapper, Lancaster County. It reads as follows:

I was cruising along on the highway about 60 miles per hour when up ahead I saw two sparrows in a fierce battle at the side of the road. With feathers flying, they attacked each other with great fury.

As my car approached, they became locked in combat. Together they rose in the air and fluttered blindly into the path of a car. With a violent thud they smashed against the windshield, leaving a smear of blood and feathers. They were so preoccupied with their battle that they were blind to more serious dangers. Their quarrel cost them their lives.

How often we act like those two sparrows! We fail to realize that in a fight no one ever wins. Both are losers. We carry grudges, and our irritations get blown out of proportion. I don’t know what those sparrows were fighting over, but it wasn’t worth dying for. Neither are our quarrels.

Learn a lesson from the sparrows. Forget your grievances, be ready to forgive, and admit it when you’re wrong. Ask God’s Spirit to produce in you “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22, 23).

When you feel like fighting, remember those two dead sparrows by the roadside.

Additionally, Psalm 36:9 states, “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” The more you walk in the light of Jesus, the more you will experience life and receive guidance to walk upright. Please don’t mask His glory in you. Breathe!