When we moved here a year ago, my son and I set up a cute
little birdhouse we purchased at a local antique shop. I mostly just put it up
for decorative purposes, never really imagining any bird would ever make a nest
in it. Back in Texas I always tried to have things like birdhouses and feeders
and always failed miserably. I actually had two squirrels work as a team once
and run away with my plastic bird feeder and I promise you they were laughing at
me as they ran away.
But I swear to everyone that not only is the culture
different here as far as people go, but as far as nature goes too. Although I
really wish I could say the same for the people around here (and NO not
EVERYONE, we’ve met some pretty amazing folks, but that’s a different post),
nature is beautiful here. Breathtaking in a lot of parts.
It wasn’t until this spring that VOILA! We discovered a
bird’s nest in the birdhouse! 5 tiny light blue eggs, which with some research
we found we have an Eastern Bluebird Familia living in the birdhouse.
Of course, this little bluebird familia immediately
captured my heart and I got emotionally attached/involved. Don’t judge me. I’ve
been a bit of an emotional spaz lately.
I always watched from afar, while the eggs were still in
the nest, the mama bird gathering materials and maintain her nest almost every
day, keeping her eggs warm in the evenings with the warmth of her little body, I
also noticed that when she wasn’t in the birdhouse she was never far away. She
was always perched in a nearby tree where she could keep watch on her nest and
her babies. When the babies finally hatched I watched as mama and papa bird,
who was now allowed to be more present and on the scene every day, take turns
bringing food to their young ones. Both would maintain the nest making sure it
was nice and comfy for their babies, and I once again noticed that when mom and
pops weren’t in the birdhouse with their young ones they were always close by.
Perched in a tree most times where they were watching from a distance over
their nest and babes.
It’s only been a couple of weeks and the
nestlings probably have just a few short weeks until they begin to leave the
nest. Which I am highly anticipating and I can’t even tell you how anxious I am
about it! I want them all to have a successful take off into their new journey!
Over the last few weeks as I’ve watched all this life
unfold in my backyard, I couldn’t help but compare to the timing of it all to
some events that had been unfolding in my own life and how I’d felt about it all.
I’m not going to over spiritualize this, but having this
little bluebird family take up residence in my backyard at this time couldn’t
have been any more perfect. Watching the way God created and designed these
beautiful little creatures to care for their young the way they do is quite an
interesting thing to behold. I understand they’re still wild little things. But
they’re just beautiful.
A storm rolled in 4 nights ago. A bad one. I’m already
emotionally invested in my new feathered family at this point. The winds were
terrible. Did I mention the birdhouse is a hanging birdhouse?
My nerves were on edge to say the least. It’s a sturdy
birdhouse for sure. I did everything I could not to run outside and bring them
inside. I knew I couldn’t do anything like that. Move the birdhouse or
anything. I just had to leave it. I reminded myself that “birds lay their nests
in trees all the time” and “there are horrible storms all the time” and “that’s
just the way of nature”. I reminded myself that “in nature sometimes birds
don’t survive” and that’s also “the way of nature”. And I had to “just leave
nature alone”. So I did what I know how to do. I prayed. Yes, I sure did, I
prayed for my bluebird family.
I needed them to be ok. “Not just for them Lord,but for
me too” I know that’s so selfish, maybe. But I just needed them to be ok.
See, the things that had been unfolding in my life
weren’t as pleasant as watching the life that was taking place in the birdhouse
outside my bedroom window or taking a peek inside the birdhouse and seeing
those tiny little baby birds. And every time I watched them, every time I saw
mama bird perched on her tree so close by watching over her nest, or setting
new grass and feathers down in the nest or bringing in food for her babies. I was reminded or better yet I felt reassured
somehow, once again, that my Father God was near me. That He was never far
away. That no matter what was unfolding around me, no matter what I felt like inside
myself, no matter the overwhelming emotional spaz case I might feel that I am
for the moment, He understood me, He loved me, He was never far away. That He cares for me.
I couldn’t help it and I went out just once, and snuck up
and peeked in with my flashlight and there was mama bird covering her littles,
head tucked down, protecting her nest.
That night, through the strong winds, the lightning, and
the rain, the birdhouse got tossed from side to side so forcefully. Swinging against the
pole it was hung on. Not once did she leave them.
Not once, does He ever leave me. Not once, will He ever
stop Fathering me or covering me. Not once will He ever stop loving me.
Unfortunately, I believe it’s in our nature to worry. We
were created as emotional beings. I don’t believe, however, we should allow worry
to be nurtured into something toxic. Things like irrational fears, overwhelming
anxieties, unmanageable stress, and sickness. I could go on and on because I’m
all too familiar with all the above. It’s toxic city! And I think that’s what
God wants us to learn. I believe that’s what He wants me to learn. It’s not
easy for sure. But He tells me….
“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither
sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are
you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to
his stature?” Matthew 6:26-27(NKJV)
I’ve been
watching this and it’s true! I have the proof in my very own backyard!
And I’ve heard
Him whisper, in the sunshine and in the storm. Using, of all things, a
birdhouse and family of bluebirds, “Melissa, I hold you closer to my heart than
you can ever imagine. I’m closer than the air you breathe. I carry you, I hold
you. I walk with you, I uplift you. I laugh with you, I strengthen you. I listen to you,
I love you. And when you need me to, I’ll reassure you, as many times as you
need. I’m here. Always. Closer than you can even understand”
I don’t bother the birdhouse, I give them their space,
but every now and then I do wait for my sweet mama to leave the nest and I go
and check in on the sweet little babies. I’m happy to report that they are all
still growing, and doing well!
And as for me. Well, I thank God that He never stops showing me wonderful new things every day.
The Bird House
