Our adopted robin whose nest graces the curve of the gutter spout by the dining room window is gone. I cannot believe how much I miss her and how sad I was the first morning I discovered she and her little ones had left.
Each morning I would take my coffee cup into the dining room and open the blinds to check on “Momma’s” progress. There was an inordinate amount of time of nest sitting but then finally we could see eggs in the nest. Almost overnight it seemed as though the eggs had turned into 4 little eternally hungry birds.
Momma worked day and night to feed her brood. She would race down to the lawn after the evening sprinkling session and gather up as many worms as possible. When we worked in the back yard, she would always be on the alert, flying to the fence, drawing attention away from her family. Her vigorous scoldings left no doubt that though she might be little, she was fiercely protective.
And so the days passed, Mamma constantly working, watching and defending and I their self appointed guardian keeping a close eye on our adopted avian family.
And then one day I saw the "not so little ones" on the ground near the fence, furiously flapping their wings with Mamma on the fence above, chirping encouragement. I wanted to stay and help. My husband told me to let nature take it’s course and that intervening would do more harm than good. An appointment called me away and when I returned home there were no little birds, no Mamma, only an empty nest. I was bereft and amazed that I was feeling such a loss. “What’s this about I wondered as tears filled my eyes and a heavy sadness settled on my heart.” I didn’t understand and finally prayed a quick prayer; “Father, this seems like such an extreme reaction. What is going on in my heart? Why am I so sad? Please reveal to me what the true source of this pain is so I can deal with it.”
God in His grace and mercy answered immediately and placed the knowledge in my heart. I so identified with that little robin because she reminded me of my own mother. A woman, who raised three children alone, worked two jobs for many years and always put us first. A woman with incredible strength, wisdom and love who sacrificed much to provide for us. An amazing woman who could laugh as hard as she worked. As I gazed at that empty nest, I mourned her sudden passing 9 months ago, I mourned for our loss and for the many dreams she must have had that went unfulfilled while she encouraged us to realize ours. Recognizing that my little robin “Momma’s” leaving had opened that wound in my heart I was reminded again how much I miss my mother. And so I cried some more but these tears were cleansing tears, tears of release and tears of thankfulness to God that He had provided my brother and sister and I with such a “Momma”. Thanks Mom for all your sacrifice and care and thank You Lord for calling her Your own. What comfort to know that she is no longer bound to an earthly nest but is now flying on angel’s wings.
Dear Jesus, thank you for tears that cleanse and a heart that remembers. Thank You for your comforting words and your grace and for beautiful things from Your creation that remind us of Your blessings.
Each morning I would take my coffee cup into the dining room and open the blinds to check on “Momma’s” progress. There was an inordinate amount of time of nest sitting but then finally we could see eggs in the nest. Almost overnight it seemed as though the eggs had turned into 4 little eternally hungry birds.
Momma worked day and night to feed her brood. She would race down to the lawn after the evening sprinkling session and gather up as many worms as possible. When we worked in the back yard, she would always be on the alert, flying to the fence, drawing attention away from her family. Her vigorous scoldings left no doubt that though she might be little, she was fiercely protective.
And so the days passed, Mamma constantly working, watching and defending and I their self appointed guardian keeping a close eye on our adopted avian family.
And then one day I saw the "not so little ones" on the ground near the fence, furiously flapping their wings with Mamma on the fence above, chirping encouragement. I wanted to stay and help. My husband told me to let nature take it’s course and that intervening would do more harm than good. An appointment called me away and when I returned home there were no little birds, no Mamma, only an empty nest. I was bereft and amazed that I was feeling such a loss. “What’s this about I wondered as tears filled my eyes and a heavy sadness settled on my heart.” I didn’t understand and finally prayed a quick prayer; “Father, this seems like such an extreme reaction. What is going on in my heart? Why am I so sad? Please reveal to me what the true source of this pain is so I can deal with it.”
God in His grace and mercy answered immediately and placed the knowledge in my heart. I so identified with that little robin because she reminded me of my own mother. A woman, who raised three children alone, worked two jobs for many years and always put us first. A woman with incredible strength, wisdom and love who sacrificed much to provide for us. An amazing woman who could laugh as hard as she worked. As I gazed at that empty nest, I mourned her sudden passing 9 months ago, I mourned for our loss and for the many dreams she must have had that went unfulfilled while she encouraged us to realize ours. Recognizing that my little robin “Momma’s” leaving had opened that wound in my heart I was reminded again how much I miss my mother. And so I cried some more but these tears were cleansing tears, tears of release and tears of thankfulness to God that He had provided my brother and sister and I with such a “Momma”. Thanks Mom for all your sacrifice and care and thank You Lord for calling her Your own. What comfort to know that she is no longer bound to an earthly nest but is now flying on angel’s wings.
Dear Jesus, thank you for tears that cleanse and a heart that remembers. Thank You for your comforting words and your grace and for beautiful things from Your creation that remind us of Your blessings.
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18 (NLT)
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