I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me (Psalm 13:6 ESV). Jacques (Jock) had a perfect life despite living in a cage. All his needs and wants were met—food, water, shelter, protection, warmth, entertainment, etc. Everything a bird could want came easily to our beloved canary.
We found him in the exotic pet area of a local Grants Department Store. I think we were allowed to take either Jacques or a Black Molly fish home, so we opted for the pet that was more likely to interact with us.
Jacques did not disappoint us, as he watched the world around him with a keen bird's eye view of our family's comings and goings. His cage was on a stand beside the piano in the living room. He fluttered about in his little home, crunching birdseed, rubbing against a cuddle bone, resting on the long perch across his cage, and singing beautiful songs that could be heard in the neighborhood outside on hot summer days when doors and windows were open. His melodies were varied and flawless—perfect rhythm and creativity that only God could orchestrate.
He seemed especially stimulated musically as I'd begin practicing the piano beside him. When the music called for a crescendo, his melody increased in volume. His breast would swell while his tiny lungs filled with sufficient air to complete the tune as I'd play the last few measures. Whether the music was classical, contemporary, boogie-woogie, or a favorite hymn, Jacques added his song, and the duet could be heard from near and far.
We often had another member join the symphony. One of our cats would jump on top of the piano and lie down to enjoy the music, as he kept time with his tail. (I'm not kidding.) He was a living metronome until he'd fall asleep.
Jacques communicated such joy and gratefulness at being alive! Maybe he was just happy to be fed each day. Perhaps he sang because he loved the security he felt inside the cage—away from our cats and wild beasts that might be lurking in the bushes outside. But the Lord takes great pleasure in everything He creates, and I think Jacques was created to sing and make a joyful noise. Maybe the main purpose of Jacques' life was to sing beautiful songs. Even putting him in a straight jacket or suit of armor couldn't have stopped him from puffing out his chest to give voice to his delight with life. I often practiced for hours, and he never tired of accompanying me.
One day, the sweet singing abruptly ceased. Jacques' chest expanded as I played, and his song continued, rising in volume and intensity, nearly overpowering the piano at times. Suddenly he stopped singing. I looked to my left where the cage was; he'd fallen off the perch. Poor, lifeless Jacques lay motionless at the bottom of his cage. The music stopped. We could only guess that his little heart gave out mid-song, and he died.
“I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!” David declared in Psalm 104:33. It seemed that Jacques literally did exactly that!
Do I praise the Lord that intensely? Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, Psalm 150:6 proclaims. Jacques gave it his all. I don't think he was praising Bach or Beethoven or whoever composed the songs. He heard something that aroused him to DO what he was created to do.
What arouses us to praise the Lord? What excites us to give voice and action to Who God is and what He's done for us? What stimulates us to DO what we are created to do?
I'm certain that God saw Jacques fall off his perch. Jesus said, in Matthew 10:34-35, “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.” I know the Lord heard Jacques' last song. Sweet little Jacques went out with joy.
Let's pray, friends. Dear Lord, encourage us to praise You more frequently and intensely. Let us not be overly concerned with today's problems. May we live in an attitude of praise and thanksgiving for your lovingkindness toward us. Help us to sing to You as long as we live—right up to our last breath! Amen.
© 2024, Chris Custer Werre
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