YOU DROPPED A BOMB ON ME
There was a song that bounced it’s way up the charts back in the eighties by a group called The Gap Band. They had a few big hits, but I think their biggest, and my favorite, was titled, “You Dropped A Bomb On Me”.(click here for a trip back in time)
I don’t go out of my way to listen to that song these days, although I should, but I’m still astounded how our brains work and amazed at how an old song from decades back can be prompted by something not remotely related, like say… a little birdy.It’s a rare occasion when I expose my skin to the vicious rays of the sun. And when I do, it’s not for long. Some of us have to learn the art of moderation the hard way. That’s what makes the unfolding events what the bookies call, “A long shot.”
I was taking in some sun, watching the birds, and the time, pondering the possibility of hummingbirds having bird ADD. They were eating, but seemed to be constantly distracted and couldn’t resist a little horseplay… or whatever birds call it. Maybe bird foolery.
The world of the sky in nature looks like orchestrated chaos. The crows, the blackbirds, the birds of brilliant color, and the wrens, they all dance across the sky like shooting stars.
There’s just something about looking up… I think it’s designed by God. The simple physiological act of raising our chins from slumping, it somehow lifts our spirits as well.
But even on a good day, things can go south… and not just for the winter. We’ve all had those days, the ones where things seem to be cruising along just fine, and then calamity, of varying degrees, gets dropped on us.
The bombs come, but how we deal with them, I think, has everything to do with how long the shelling continues, at least the way we perceive it spiritually.
All of us, at one time or another, have scanned the sky, pondering our difficulties, and have, maybe not verbally, but at least in thought, told God, “You dropped a bomb on me”. I’d also bet that it’s not a few of us that have even shook our fist at the Almighty.
There are big bombs and miniature bombs, but all of them can have an effect on us when we feel like we’re the target. It’s about perspective.
The older I get the more my perspective parallels The Serenity Prayer; “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
I’ve had bombs dropped on me my entire life, just like all of us, and I used to seethe with anger and hatred.
The bird reminded me with a ghastly test… he dropped his bomb from his rear cargo door about ten feet up. I nodded, giving him kudos for his pinpoint accuracy.
I also sang him a song as I was heading to clean his bomb off of my shoulder, “You dropped a bomb on, (Duh-duh-duh-duh, baby) You dropped a bomb on me.”
Bill (cycleguy)
Sunday, July 31, 2016 @ 1:48 pm
Glad you are good humored about it Floyd. I had one dropped on my right shoulder just seconds after I turned my head from the direction and looked straight ahead…with no hat.
Diane Ronzino
Sunday, July 31, 2016 @ 5:11 pm
You and Bill (cycleguy) seem to have a lot in common. LOL…
You know I never thought about looking up as being designed by God, but I do think you are right. Lifting our chins can change things. Many years ago, my pastor was going to pray with me. I was sitting across from him. As he started to pray, I did the “religious thing” and closed my eyes and bowed my head. All of a sudden, I felt a finger on my chin, “Lift your head to your Father, look up to Him. Do not hang your head away from Him.” It had a profound impact on my walk with The LORD.
Thanks for the reminder, Floyd!
June
Sunday, July 31, 2016 @ 6:53 pm
Ha-ha 🙂 honestly? I’m surprised we don’t get hit by the bombs more often with all the bird-craft in the sky! They seem to prefer our cars as targets, maybe because they’re easier to hit. I remember coming out to my car one day after work and, after one look at the windshield, wondered if I’d woken up in Jurassic Park, lol. As far as your spiritual lesson, you’re right on target, as usual, brother. When the bombs of life get us down, looking up is the best defense. Have a blessed week, my friend!
Pam
Monday, August 1, 2016 @ 3:59 am
Love this observation, Floyd–There’s just something about looking up… I think it’s designed by God. The simple physiological act of raising our chins from slumping, it somehow lifts our spirits as well.
Cheryl
Monday, August 1, 2016 @ 5:13 am
Oh, my, what a trial to have this happen! But, you find the good in everything, Floyd, and you always find a spiritual lesson out of it. It is a Divine gift to us all that you choose to share that lesson with us here. Thank you for reminding me to lift my eyes Heavenward. Sometimes, we become so weighted down with things of this life that we don’t even think to do that. God bless you for always pointing our eyes to the Father.
Lisa notes
Monday, August 1, 2016 @ 11:57 am
You know that anytime you mention a song, I immediately am singing it in my head. 🙂 I loved The Gap Band. Scanning the sky today for beautiful fluffy clouds only!
Barb Raveling
Monday, August 1, 2016 @ 12:55 pm
That’s so funny, Floyd, plus I loved the song. I’d never heard it before but it reminded me of the Just Dance videos on YouTube. I couldn’t resist a little dance with the song while I was watching it – a very fun break – both dancing and reading your blog!
Betty Draper
Monday, August 1, 2016 @ 2:26 pm
Only you brother could take bird droppings and make a spiritual application from it. Good writing.
I strap my helmet of salvation on tighter then I use to, only way to keep those bombs from shattering my peace of mind.
Lux G.
Monday, August 1, 2016 @ 10:41 pm
Haha. You handled it so coolly. You’re the bomb. Oops.
Caleb Suko
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 @ 4:06 am
Then there are the real bombs that still drop every night in Eastern Ukraine. Somehow life still goes on for many who hear the “thud, thud, thud” of artillery landing just a few kilometer or less away. I’m reminded that no matter our circumstances we must learn to look up, to look toward the only stable, faithful, unchanging thing there is, which is our awesome God!
Thanks for the great reminder Floyd!
saleslady371
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 @ 10:11 am
And the neat thing about saying to the Lord “You dropped a bomb on me” is that He can take it and eventually straightens out our thinking! I like to watch the birds too!
Dolly@Soulstops
Tuesday, August 2, 2016 @ 10:46 am
Floyd,
Oh, my…since we’re talking about 80s songs, a friend reminded me of the Twila Paris song, “The Warrior is a Child”…and saying the Serenity Prayer with you 🙂 Funny, the older I get, the more I appreciate watching birds 🙂 Blessings to you and yours.
TC Avey
Wednesday, August 3, 2016 @ 7:35 am
Great post…both funny and profound.
I’ve had a few bombs dropped on me and while the ones from a bird ate gross they clean up much easier, faster, and with less pain than spiritual bombs.
Thanks for getting that song stuck in my head.
Hazel Moon
Friday, August 5, 2016 @ 6:24 pm
The “bombs” dropped by birds are minor compared to the big bombs that occasionally hit us either expected or not. It is bad enough when we are betrayed, or accused of something we did not do, but when it is our children, it is much worse. Our son was falsely accused by a woman patient, and the bombs began to drop. His savings depleted trying to defend himself, a big attorney bill and backed into a corner; They have offered him a “deal,” and hopefully the woman will approve it, and also the judge. We are hoping that there are no more bombs. May the bombs in your life be defused before they hit.
I remember Nancy once running with her mouth open and in flew a moth. To her that was worse than a bomb. I think she swallowed it. Even worse. I loved your word pictures of birds and their (tom) bird foolery. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.