Free From the Fowler’s Snare

We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:7-8

Yesterday, as I was once again putting forth great mental effort toward trying to “figure out” how to play the hand we’ve been dealt this year (and causing a fair share of anguish in the process), Jacob was off by the seawall dealing with a problem of his own.

While fishing, this beautiful bird became entangled in his line, fell into the water, and nearly drowned. Jacob was able to save the bird from drowning, but in the process it became hooked through the skin on its head, right between the eyes. If you look closely in the picture, you can see the hook.

Jacob was alone and he did a great job of keeping the bird calm and trying to get close enough to get the hook out himself. But every time he tried to approach, the bird became scared and was endangering himself by jumping and flailing about. Jacob patiently continued in his efforts until Kim noticed through the window that something was wrong and she and I went to help him.

How to Get a Fishing Hook Out of a Bird’s Forehead

Step One – Gently cover the bird in a very large towel or a blanket, bigger is better because they tend to attempt escape! Very lightly hold the bird down so you don’t hurt him!

Step Two – Very carefully expose the hooked area and once the bird is calm, cut the hook. Don’t try and take the hook out in one piece, the barb could do more damage on the way out and the pain might cause the bird to really go batty. Remove the hook in two pieces, pulling the barb away from the wound, not through it.

Step Three – Inspect the wound. If this wound had been very bad we would have either used some antibiotic cream or ointment or in a serious case we would have had to transport the bird to a vet. In this case, the wound was clean and not bleeding. Since he’s a saltwater bird, we decided the best thing was to let him get back to the water and sky as quickly as possible. We hope that the water will keep his wound clean.

Step Four – Release him! After letting him go, this bird took awhile to realize that he was no longer hooked. Once he did, he flew away and since he didn’t crash, we think he’s going to be okay!

God Releases Us!

The whole situation reminded me of how God releases us from the traps and snares we get tangled-up in in our own lives.

Unlike this situation, where the bird was caught by accident, the devil has littered this world with traps, pits, snares, and nets with the full intention of trapping and killing God’s people. He doesn’t catch us by accident, he’s been planning it for thousands of years.

We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:7-8

If you’re caught-up in any of life’s traps today, I encourage you to calm down and let God release you. He is ready, willing, and able to set you free and you will soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31)!