Dinner Group

Last night we had dinner group at our house. Dinner group is what happens most Monday evenings with us and our friends. We rotate between a few homes, and sometimes 8, 10, and even, occasionally, 12 people show up.

Last night we were the hosting home. The menu, which is never the same, is most always approachable, and entirely up to the host, was sausages and roasted potatoes. It was up to everyone else in attendance to fill in with side dishes. That’s our rule. The host chooses, and everyone else supports the host's decisions. Our friends came with a mixed fruit salad, a tossed green salad, and some very dark chocolate cupcakes decorated with googly eyes and sprinkles. That was the contribution of the 2 youngest members of the group, and they were enjoyed by all

Last night must have been auspicious. A special guest joined us. She was ragged, very small, and had a grumpy face. Her name was Robbi. She was a baby Robin, and she rode in like a small queen in her very own basket throne, carefully carried on the arm of our friend. She even had an accompanying bowl of food. It was dinner group after all. We love to welcome guests, but in truth have never been privileged to welcome one of the avian sort.

Small Robbi came to be loved by my friend through one fact. She was not a perfectly well bird. She couldn’t fly. Her wing is lame. My friend is a person of empathy, a very compassionate soul, so she took her in and researched how to care for the creature. She learned they like cat food. That was lucky because they also had a cat named Jack. What wasn’t lucky is that Jack thought this little bird looked like food. My friend got even more involved in caring for and protecting her new pet, and 3 weeks later, Robbi has imprinted on her. My friend is a bird mama. This is why she came to our house yesterday with all but a royal carriage. 

I was fascinated by how this scruffy, grumpy little Robin, who hadn’t even begun sprouting her trademark colors, instantly found her way into our hearts. Murmurs of “She’s so cute” and “Can I pet her?” were heard from all present. During our dinner, she perched on the side of her little basket and watched us like the benevolent royal she was. She cocked her head now and then as if to say, Poor souls, they don’t have beaks.

We live in a world where hearts are hardened and jaded thoughts threaten to consume us.

Funny, how something as small and broken as a little lame bird shows us the best part of being human. When empathy flexes our muscles, we humans shine. This is God-intended.

Let your heart be opened by the compassion you naturally have. Be softened by the small, innocent ones. Become brave enough to care when you see weaknesses around you. Feel what it is to be a fragile, beautiful creation. 

You were made to love and be loved.