Birds-Eye View

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:25-27



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While Momma Bird may have made a foolish choice of location for her nest (see previous post), we are blessed because she did. Through the glass pane on our front door, we have a “birds-eye view” of the fascinating circle of life. Over the past week, we have witnessed the behaviors of Momma and her brand new babies. And, of course, I have a few observations!
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First, let’s take a look at Momma-
She is a provider for her children. She feeds them, protects them, nurtures them and ultimately will enable them to fly for themselves. We have seen the delightful (not really) assortment of worms and bugs she provides. She sits on top of her fuzzy babies sheltering them from the storm and the elements.






Throughout Scripture, we see how the Lord has provided for His children. Woven through the Word from Genesis to Revelation, He has provided land, shelter, food, wool and flax for clothing, comfort, even a way of escape from temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). He provided the ram for the sacrifice saving Isaac, and He provided Jesus, the supreme sacrifice saving you and me: “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3
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God also provides the very strength we need: “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 4:11
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Now, what about those babies:
There are 3 growing babies in the nest. They are all different. One squirms and scratches himself all the time. One often appears to be despondent - crying, hanging his head over the side of the nest with beak wide open. And one just seems to be mellow, waiting to be served. But all of them have some things in common, too.
When Momma shows up at mealtime, they all clamor to be fed. Even when she isn’t there, they often extend their scrawny necks reaching as high as they can with gaping mouths. They are unable to fly, but have grown from downy little balls to fidgeting masses of tufts, feathers and beaks. Their strength is increasing, and one day they will fly away, soaring to heights previously unknown.

We also are all different, uniquely created. Whether we are active, or melancholy or peaceful, we all need the nurture that our heavenly Father provides. The babies remind me of when I was a young Christian, devouring the Bible, my spiritual food. As I feasted on the Word, I matured and grew in my faith. Witnessing the birds straining their heads upwards with beaks wide open, convicts me that I ought to still yearn for the Word, straining to be nourished by it.
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Right now, the babies remain huddled in their nest, waiting, growing and gaining the strength they will need for their future.
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Right now, you may be waiting, hoping for a change in your circumstances. Rest assured, the time of waiting is not time wasted. It is a time of preparation. It is a time to be renewed, a time to strengthen your hope in the Lord, a time to develop what is needed to soar.
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Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31

Susan