Saturday, June 27, 2009

Life on my porch ...

A couple of days ago I shared the moment when Eve received her name, meaning "Mother of all the Living" and how our world needs the women of today to carry on that commission. God continues to show me His love of life, His tenderness as a Father, the delight He takes in seeing parents nurture their young ... or seeing His creation care for another.

Four ferns hang on my porch. Three are full and green, but one is dry, like a Wal-Mart "leftover" in, oh, .... September. The reason? Finches. Early in the season, a pair of finches built a nest there and laid four tiny eggs in the center. We've been watching, trying to reassure the protective parents. They instinctively stay near the nest, defending it from any threats, even attacking the porch fan when they perceived the whirling menace nearby. Upset, they chased guests back into the house who innocently wandered out to the swing (sorry, guys!). The Book of Matthew records how God considers His creation, the feathered kind and the flesh kind:

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matt. 10:29-31
God is intimately interested in His creation, and our lives are precious to Him. Psalm 84:3 tells us that even the sparrow finds a place to make her nest for her young near the altar of God. Imagine, then, how much of a treasure we are to Him, since we're told we're more valuable than birds are. You can see here in the Book of Luke that if God feeds the birds, He will surely meet our needs.

Today we took the fern down ... just for a minute ... to check on four tiny finches that are now where eggs once were. Even in a week, the birds are growing, adding feathers, moving more, and filling the nest. The frequently visiting mom and dad are also starting to add droppings, placed like ribbons on a Christmas wreath. The crisp fern fronds now adorned with "finch blobs" are blowing in the hot wind that stirs on our porch. I don't mind. The mother watches from nearby. Her name may not be Eve, but the little feathered creation is another reminder to me that God loves life! And if she can be a devoted mother, how much more should I be God's hands and feet to those in ... and around ... my "nest"?

Check back next week on Word Filled Wednesday to see another little mother who has inspired our whole family this summer as God shows us His love of life.

4 COMMENTS ~ Click here to leave a COMMENT:

Courtney (Women Living Well) said...

Oh what an awesome photo of the nest! Thanks for sharing! I sat on my back porch this morning for my quiet time and so enjoyed the sound of the birds chirping, the sun rising and the crisp air. It's amazing how much nature can bless us - that nest is a blessing to you - enjoy!

Kristi said...

How wonderful! Alayna and I are sitting here checking out your pictures - she was wondering if they were "real" and was quite amazed. :)

God surely is a great Lifegiver - what a task he has given us as mothers!

Jess said...

Oh Julie, we have a nest in both of our ferns too!!! I was going to blog about it...alas haven't had time yet.

Julie said...

They are very real Alayna. :) Only God could have nestled them in there so securely. And I love it that you said you have them, too, Jess ... He's watching them both at the same time ... and more! :)