It will serve as a pavilion, a shade by day from the heat, and a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. Isaiah 4:6
This morning, as I looked at a blank page and had no idea where God would lead me in my writing today, one of my Granddaughters called me. I told her what I was doing, and asked her what I should write about. She said, “Nature, Gram; trees and birds! When I told her I’d written about trees and birds before, she offered her profound 7 year old advice. “But there’s lots to write about trees and birds. Tell the story you told me yesterday.” And so I will.
Yesterday, I had an unusually “lazy” day after an extremely busy and taxing week again. As I sat outside soaking in the hot early summer day, I noticed a lot of activity in a tree nearby. The birdhouse my husband secured to that tree a couple of years ago to shelter a resident or transient bird family, has housed another family of sparrows this year, and although we've heard them, the heads of the little ones have not been visible at all. All we’ve been privy to is the sight of their parents very quietly and quickly coming and going, their beaks filled with whatever food available for their hungry babies. But yesterday was different.
In the shelter of this huge old maple tree, their little house is hidden by bright green, full leaves that protect it from the heat of the sun’s rays and like an umbrella covers them from some of the rain we’ve had. But this day the leaves rustle and move from activity, there is no cooling breeze making them wave about so. Instead, right before my eyes, with patient, repetitive coaxing from their mother, drawing them to the opening with a reward of food, one by one, the baby birds flew out of the nest! They landed on branches and were continued to be persuaded by their parents to keep flying! Never have I witnessed this before and I was elated watching the scene before me! Thinking they were all out, I sat back down and returned to my study, when the familiar sound began again. One little bird remained, hesitating to leave. One little bird who held back, not wanting to leave what he knew, what was familiar to him. One little bird afraid to leave where he was comfortable to go forward into the unknown. One little bird calling to his mother not to forget him!
And of course she didn't! Back and forth she flew to him, and continued to do so for hours. In fact, each time I returned outside, I thought for sure he was gone, when there she’d be, morsels in her beak, hanging on for dear life at the edge of the opening of the bird house, coaxing him to come forward. How I felt for that mother bird! How worn out she must be! As dusk approached, finally he had the courage to follow his mother’s calls. From what I saw, that little bird did a loop de loop with joy when he realized he’d done it! It was amazing! Yet it happens constantly; is an everyday, ordinary part of life. Birds build nests, they lay eggs, and they hatch, right? But then, could any part of life be ordinary?
How like that little bird we can be! Hesitant to take steps necessary for us to be able to progress to the next step in life, reluctant to trust in a God who loves us unconditionally. And we call to Him, frantically sometimes, fearful that He may forget us. Yet He never will! (Isaiah 49:15). He will coax us forward and even carry us when we need to be! His love is our shelter from all that holds us back.
Heavenly Father, you have created this world and all the creatures in it for our delight and joy. There is not one ordinary moment in it - all a gift to treasure. Thank you for loving us so!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson