My wife and I have developed a new hobby over the last few days. We have had a front row seat through our living room window to watch a bird and have actually spent quite a bit of time watching. Somehow, instead of leaving the nest for the ground, she wound up in our courtyard. We’ve also been reminded of the fact that things are not always as they appear.

What we first thought was an injured bird in our courtyard has proved to be a fledging robbin. After “Googling” for information, we learned that a fledging takes several days of trying and many unsuccessful attempts before it can actually fly, and in the meantime hops around on the ground. What we first thought was a bird that didn’t have anything to eat was actually being fed several times during the day by its father who is usually nearby watching out for her. (We determined it is a “her” because her feathers are very pale compared to her fathers, better for hiding.) Our concern that she needed water, after putting a dish out without her paying any attention to it, was also unnecessary because apparently she can get water from her father. I’m not sure how long our bird watching hobby will continue but several more days for sure.

Then I think about how our misconceptions can happen in a lot of other areas in our lives. That person with the big smile and appears not to have a worry in this world is actually struggling with a huge life situation. That person driving the big fancy new car and gives the impression they have it made, is actually deeply concerned about how they are going to come up with the money to make the next payment. That person who appears to have so many friends is actually very lonely because not one of those friends is a real friend they can confide in and feel assured they will be there with them all the way. That person who seemingly has it all together, is actually suffering from a big drug or alcohol problem. That perfect family, with the loving father and mother may be fighting to hold it all together. Such is life.

This syndrome of not always being how it seems, applies to all areas of life. I have known athletic teams that appear to be great and bound for a season of lots of wins, actually fall apart. By the same token, there are others that you don’t expect much from and they over-achieve.

So, I like the little birds pretty good. Not as much as I did my parakeet named ‘Peep’. But, certainly not as much as my dog ‘Buttons’ and my cat ‘Drake’ and…..I used to really hate animals….

Go love an animal.

Until, next time, so long everybody.

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‘Out of the Box’ with Dallas Huston is published each Monday morning at BrownwoodNews.com. Dallas was the radio voice of the Brownwood Lions and Howard Payne Yellow Jackets for more than 55 years. He currently is Pastor of Center City Baptist Church and hosts a Men’s Bible Study in Brownwood on Monday evenings. Your comments are welcome at [email protected].