Meridian Street UMC E-pistle
June 18, 2009
“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?”
We have a fern hanging outside our front door. For some reason, a bird decided it was the perfect place to make a nest. I am not sure what kind of bird built that nest, but whatever the kind of bird, she laid three small eggs in her nest. The nest is well protected by the fern fronds and she has taken great care in building the nest and caring for her three eggs. However, while the mother bird was away from the nest another bird, a cowbird, found the nest and laid three additional eggs. So, when the mother bird returned to the nest, instead of finding her three eggs she found a total of six eggs! What a shock that must have been! This very small nest will have to support six baby birds and this mother bird will attempt to feed six baby birds. The bird situation has caused me to ponder.
I like to think that I am open to helping someone in need. I like to think that if I am able to offer assistance, I will do so. The practices of our faith call us to be compassionate and caring, and I do like the concept, but I am not sure what I would do if I found out that a cowbird, without any consultation with me, deposited three additional eggs in my home for me to provide food and shelter. I am confident that I would not like it, not one bit! Now, cowbirds are nomads. They place eggs in the nests of other birds because the cowbird is always on the move. However, should that reality become the problem of the nesting birds? Well, in this instance, “Yes.” The nesting bird has faithfully spent day and night keeping the six eggs warm. I am most respectful of that little bird. She sits on that nest most of the day. She will fly off when we open the front door, but she stays close and squawks until we move away and then heads right back to the nest. She is doing her best in this difficult situation. This morning I noticed two of the eggs are hatched – both are cowbirds. The adoptive mother was off finding food.
Life is full of surprises and stress. So often, what we plan and what actually happens are two very different realities. Yet, with the presence of God with us we are equipped to live through all the challenges of life with grace and compassion. The love of God is greater than any unhappy surprise, any inconvenience, or any heartbreak we will ever know on this earth.
I have taken to calling the nesting bird, “Momma.” She is teaching me lessons about life each day. Hang in there Momma and know that you are a blessing to all six of those beautiful little gifts of life and to me as I watch your devotion to all of them.
Prayer: Your plans for us are greater than we can ever imagine, O God. Let us be surprised by your grace this day as we are given opportunities to be the very people we profess to be. Open our hearts to the needs of others and do not let us shy away from offering compassion and encouragement in the loving name of Jesus Christ. Amen.