Bird by Bird

Transcript

Anne Lamott is a brilliant writer and teacher who tells her students to tackle big jobs "bird by bird" . . . and then she explains.

Thirty years ago, when her older brother was ten, he had to write a report on birds. The night before it was due, he sat at the kitchen table close to tears. Surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, he was immobilized by the hugeness of the task.

Wisely, their father sat down beside him, put his arm around her brother's shoulder, and said, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird."

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Let's remember when we face a daunting task to take it "bird by bird"—in the high calling of our daily work.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

(2 Cor. 4:7-10)