Why Don’t Birds Have Knees?

Bible Reading: Psalm 139:13-16; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Anita smiled as she looked at the trees and small woodland creatures around her. She loved being in God’s creation and was glad she had

the strength to take this walk. Just then, she tripped on a root and was quickly reminded that woody paths can be a challenge on crutches.

“Careful, Anita!” called out the mom of her friend Grace. “I can’t carry you back to the campsite.” Anita decided she had better watch where she was going. She looked up again and smiled at some hikers coming toward them on the trail. They smiled and waved at her.

Grace grinned. “Everyone waves and smiles at you, Anita! It must be your bright pink crutches. They can see them a mile away. Next time we’re going to make you use your camouflage ones.”

“Very funny,” Anita said.

While they cooked supper over the campfire later that evening, Grace and Anita watched birds hop around nearby, picking up crumbs left behind by campers. “Why don’t birds have knees?” asked Anita. “It seems like God would have given them knees to make it easier for them to walk instead of having to hop everywhere.”

“Maybe if God had given birds knees like ours, they would be too content on the ground to fly,” said Grace. “They wouldn’t do all God meant for them to do.”

Grace’s mom nodded. “You might be right. God knows just what we need to grow into who He wants us to be.” She looked at Anita thoughtfully. “Anita, I realized something while we were walking today. I have often questioned why God has allowed you to suffer so much pain, weakness, and difficulty in walking. The rest of us take it for granted. Yet each time we met other hikers on the trail, they smiled when they saw you. Your pure joy at being able to walk the trail, even with its challenges, brought them joy too.” She patted Anita’s hand. “It wasn’t your pink crutches that made them smile. It was the strength you showed despite your weakness—the strength that comes from God. Your physical challenges may limit you in some ways, but they allow your beautiful spirit to shine through to encourage others and bring glory to God.” – Myrical Barton

How About You?

Are you facing a challenge in your life? Everyone has challenges, and we tend to see them as bad things and want to escape them. But God often allows us to face challenges in our lives to help us grow and bring Him glory in a unique way. Think about the challenge you’re facing now—how might it be an opportunity to help you grow and glorify God?

Today’s Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Today’s Key Thought:

God’s strength shows in weakness