Nesting Grounds

Lately, we’ve been sleeping with our bedroom window open,* so I can hear the twittering when it starts around five o’clock in the morning.

I lie there enjoying camping, without actually camping —hearing the birds chatter while sleeping inside. And boy, do they have a lot to say: the dove’s mourning cry, the mockingbird sharing a variety of dialects, and that one squawker reminding me not all bird sounds are pleasant. It is a rare thing nowadays to find a place free from the noises of humanity. Thankfully, at five o’clock in the morning, people in our neighborhood are kind enough not to start mowing their lawns. We will move soon, and although our apartment will be backed by woods, a busy thoroughfare is not far away.

And of course, in an apartment, we will be surrounded by people. I doubt I will be able to have the door open and hear the birds.

Life will be considerably different.

As I look around at all the stuff we’ve packed and the boxes littering every corner of our house, I can’t help but be a little sad.

Many things have changed for us in the past couple of months. Some things we had control over, and life threw some unexpected things at us.

But Jesus says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father... Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29–31, ESV).

If God cares for the tiny birds so much that He knows what happens to each one, how much more does He care for you and me and for all people? The next time you listen to the birds sing, I pray you will think about the above scriptures and know that God is right beside you, should you choose to make His altar your home.

Deidre A. Jones