There were three brothers who went out hunting at dawn. They were unsuccessful in their hunt and decided to go deeper into the woods. And even though they went deeper, branches covering the sunlight and the songs of birds growing louder, they were still unsuccessful. They bickered and argued, blaming each other as they went home. The poor birds had to stop singing because of the awful shouting. When silence came over them, the brothers realized that they had gone so deep into the forest, and were so focused on bickering with each other, they lost sight of the road home.

“Well, maybe if we continued forward, we will find our way home.” The eldest said.

“Maybe if we went left, we will find the road quicker since the road on the way turned right.” The second said.

“Maybe right is always right.” The youngest sniffed and crossed his arms. The brothers glared at each other.

“Well, let’s see who is right.” The eldest said. He looked around and spotted a bluebird in its nest. “We will walk our own way and meet back to the clearing with this bluebird,” The eldest pointed at the bluebird. “At sundown. When we meet up, we will see who was right.” The other brothers nodded and went their own way.

The eldest continued forward and forward, and fell into a lake. He came out spluttering and splashing. He yelled and screamed as he tore off his soaked heavy jacket. A chirp brought the eldest out of his anger. He looked up to see one of the bluebirds that was in the nest.

“You are supposed to be in your nest.” The eldest huffed. The bluebird chirped once more before flying to a tree that was back towards the clearing where the eldest separated from his brothers. The bluebird looked back at the eldest. The eldest glanced towards where he could go forward, a thicker part of the forest where trees covered the warm drying sunlight. Then he glanced where the bluebird was headed. The trees were less thick and there was some sunlight to dry himself. The eldest sighed and followed the bluebird back to the clearing.

The second went left, and went onward and onward, till he hit a wall of brambles.

“I do not remember this!” The second cried. Frantically he searched for something he could remember but found nothing. He sat down dejectedly and took a drink. Since he could not find his way, he decided to eat his lunch. As he took his meager lunch of bread and cheese, he heard a chirp. The second looked up. There on a rock next to him was the bluebird. It glanced between the second and his food. The second sighed and pushed his bread and cheese towards the bird. Quickly, it pecked at the food, leaving nothing left. It sang heartily when it was done and the second smiled. When it flew away, the second decided to follow it since it was the only thing he could remember.

The youngest had gone right, and kept going and going and going until he came to a cave.

“That, that is definitely not home.” The youngest stuttered. When a low growl came from the cave, the youngest turned and ran back to the clearing, fear making his eyes water.

The brothers had arrived at the clearing at the same time. They stared at each other.

“I, am, sorry,” The youngest panted. “Right, is definitely not right.”

“I too, apologize.” The second said as he looked down to the ground and rubbed the back of his neck. “I do not remember the way home as I thought.”

“And going forward would have only taken us for a swim.” The eldest joked softly as he gestured to his wet clothes. “I apologize for suggesting that we separate.”

The brothers looked at each other and laughed. When their laughter died, they heard a tweet. They looked up to see the bluebird watching them. It tweeted once more before flying to another tree. Then it looked back to them.

“Let’s follow the bird.” The eldest suggested.

“Why?” Asked the youngest.

“Do you think it knows the way home?” Asked the second.

“Maybe,” The eldest shrugged. “But I rather follow the bird together, then go my own way on my own.” The eldest looked to his brothers.

“So do I,” The second smiled.

“I suppose I would rather run into a cave with the two of you than on my own.” The youngest joked. The brothers laughed and followed the bluebird together.

REAL TALK:

How many times have you done something and it has failed or gone wrong? For me, that happens a lot. One of the things I find though, is that it’s better to do that with people and God then on my own. On my own, when things go wrong, it’s easy to get consumed by sorrow, guilt, anger, fear, and the pity-party that’s waiting for me. But when I’m with others, it is easier to humble myself, admit that I’m wrong and move on. Does that fix things? Maybe. But humility is not about fixing things, it’s about a change of heart. That change of perspective that can at least help you to go on. Most importantly, that humility is the change needed to see God.

It is God who can save you, lead you out of the wilderness. Fast, pray, cry out to Him, run to Him, and He will save you (for if you knock the door will be opened). And even if He doesn’t lead you back to where you thought home was, He will lead you to where you need to be.

“Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him?…

Joel 2:12-14 MSG