(Okay, I'm well aware that this is not a cute or "artsy" picture, but I can let that go if you can.)They're a variety of bird called Button Quail. When I took this picture, they were the same size as the length between the tip of my thumb to the first knuckle. They're about the same width too. They grow faster than corn and evoke squeals of delight and an exclamation of, "Oh how CUTE!" from most females.
After admiring the adorable little figure of the tiny birds, most people are quite surprised when I tell them that the birds are absolutely vicious.
"Really?"
Yeah. Really. Here's an example: the mothers commit infanticide. We actually have to incubate the chicks because a few days after hatching, the mother will kill them. It's quite disturbing. We had it happen once. The chicks huddled under her for warmth. She reached under her, grabbed them by the leg, and then flung them across the cage. The little chicks die if their legs break - not like they die instantly...exposure, lack of food, inability to get to water...that's what gets 'em. The mother also dealt out some harsh pecks. Naturally scared of the "predator" out to get them, the chicks ran back to their mother for protection. It was a sick cycle.
...And that's why we now raise the chicks ourselves with a heat lamp.
Okay, but the point is - if the response to the awful behavior of seemingly adorable little birds is one of shock and (mild) horror, what about our behavior as humans towards one another? ...We who carry the image of God upon us.
I'm just thinking about how we treat each other...or have the capacity to treat one another. While I don't think God is shocked or surprised, I do think it hurts His heart and I can't help but see the parallel.
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