God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

If you follow me on social media, then you may have read the first part of this story. This blog contains the conclusion and lessons learned.

When I got home from work, I let my dog, Charlie Bones, out into the backyard, where he found an injured bird—a little robin. I placed it in a shoebox, lined the box with a towel to keep the bird from slipping, and with help and advice from friends and family, set out to keep it alive while it was in my care.

Since it was after hours, I couldn’t find anyone to take it. Neel Veterinary Clinic, which took good care of my dog Lilly in her last hours four years ago and then Charlie after his head injury three years ago, was listed as a possible rescue site. However, when I talked to them, I found out they don’t have a bird vet available, so that was a no-go after all. They referred me to the WildCare Foundation in Noble, as did Charlie’s own vet. So the next morning, I took off from work and drove about an hour one way to the animal rescue facility. The bird, which had not made a peep since I placed it in the towel-lined box the previous evening, chirped the whole drive. I’m not sure if it was cursing me for the long, bumpy ride or thanking me for trying to save it.

At WildCare, I met the nicest, most enthusiastic young woman who said they would fix the bird right up. She was hopeful that it would recover well and gave me an email address where I could send a message and request updates.

When I received an update a month later, it was heartbreaking news—the bird didn’t make it. Until then, I had lived under the assumption that the bird was doing well and flying with its new birdie friends. Learning that it didn’t survive was something of a shock, even though I knew the odds were not in its favor.

You might be thinking, it was just a bird. A robin, at that. They are a dime a dozen. But the Bible says that God cares for these small animals: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God” (Luke 12:6-7). And in Matthew 6:26, Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”

I don’t know why I found this injured bird only for it not to survive. Life is full of circumstances that are beyond my control and understanding, and where I’m asking God to change things. This time it was a bird that I wanted to save. Other times it’s a relationship that’s unraveling, a frustrating job search with no leads, or a chronic illness with no healing.

When circumstances are hard, it can be tempting to turn from God—to decide that he isn’t there and he doesn’t care. But the Bible contradicts those thoughts: “And surely I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). And in one of my favorite verses, we see again that God is there: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

In John 16:33, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble.” Life is not easy. In fact, it’s downright hard most of the time. We might not know the reason something happened the way it did. But God will be with us, even if—maybe especially if—the outcome isn’t what we wanted or hoped for.

Dear Lord, help us to remember that you are always there. In good times and hard times, you go before us, beside us, and behind us. You surround us with your love. We may not understand the outcome, but we trust you with it. Amen.