A Story (As told by Craig Groeschel)

One day a bird was flying south for the winter and caught in a snowstorm. As snow landed on his tiny wings, it melted slightly. then quickly froze, causing the bird to fall to the ground. As he sat helpless and shivering, encased in ice, the bird thought to himself (to be spoken in a little bird voice) "This is the end!"

To make matters worse, a cow wandered toward the freezing bird and - wouldn't you know it? - deposited a stinking pile of manure on top of the bird. (I know this is gross, but there is a point to it. Hang with me.)

The bird panicked, horrified at the thought that he was going to freeze to death, covered in manure.

But slowly, the warmth of the manure caused to bird to thaw out. He fluttered his newly freed wings and began to chirp with joy!

Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp! he sang.

That's when a cat, drawn by the chirping, ran over, dug out the bird... and ate him.

Three lessons from the bird...

1. Not everyone who drops manure on you is your enemy.

2. Not everyone who digs you out of manure is your friend.

3. When you are in manure, keep your mouth shut.