An incredible thing happened in my family last August.

My daughter, Eden, had been asking for a parakeet for about a month. We told her "No way." By no means did this deter her from her goal. She prayed for a parakeet every night. She even asked my parents. They gave a hard “No” as well.

Eden explained to us a “certainty” she feels in her heart when she prays. I said - “That’s the Lord- but it doesn’t mean a bird is coming.” I’m always thankful for conversations like this because I love listening to her faith. I still assured her, “We won’t buy you one.” She continued to pray anyway.

August rolled around. It was hot, and I was having a rough day. I had a discouraging conversation with a friend. My daughter, Shelby, who has the best teachers in the world, was still crying about online learning. So many people that mean the world to me were struggling. I couldn’t stop crying. It was just a heavy-hearted day. Cookies might make me feel better. 

 I have a friend, the "Cookie Genius," who actually sells cookies out of a basket on her front porch. I went by for a porch pick up, and the basket was empty! I jokingly sent her a text.

"I’m having the kind of day where I might run my Suburban through your front door to get some cookies."

I knew Jessica, the “Cookie Genius,” would smile at my ridiculousness.

She laughed and then went the extra mile. Later that afternoon, Jessica brought over a box of her mistake cookies which couldn't be sold, but tasted just fine!  Such a sweet gesture that was so dear to me. I cried, telling her about my day and how I’d just gotten off the phone with another friend who’d prayed the Lord would surprise me with His goodness. We then walked outside in the stifling heat to her car.

As we’re standing there talking she says, “Hello beautiful bird about to land on your shoulder.” A bird landed on her car. I then stuck out my finger, and it stepped on my finger like we’d known each other forever. It was a parakeet. Truly unbelievable. Jessica said, “What in the world?” I said, “I don’t know, but Eden has been praying for one of these.”

Jessica and I have laughed so hard and marveled at a parakeet coming out of the sky on a 114-degree day. We walked in and told Eden, who received the bird with tears and thankfulness. My husband said we could buy it a cage if Eden started praying nightly for a full head of hair for him.

Can a parakeet lift a heavy heart? It’s the craziest thing, but I can now answer, “Yes.” It turns out God’s eye is on the sparrow and the parakeet and me, a mom struggling to figure out how to honor Him in this life I’ve been given.

Meet “Cookie”...a gift of joy and grace to us as long as she stays in our home. Our God is a God of the unexpected.

I’m asking that in this season of crazy He’d surprise you as well.

* If you would like to read more truth written by Becky Brooks, click here to purchase her book Navigating Motherhood.