The Robin's song
Matthew 10: 29-31 (NIV)
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 do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Good morning!
When I was a little girl, I spent a lot of time standing in my parents’ bedroom, gazing out the window into the lattice rose trellis outside. Nestled snugly in between the climbing rose bush vines and thorns was an intricate and well-placed Robin’s nest. If I stood really still, I could watch the Robins as they cared for their babies, without scaring them away. I loved watching the birds every spring, as they continued to build their nests, lay their eggs, and care for their young.
Robins’ eggs are a beautiful baby blue color. Mother Robin would sit for hours, keeping them warm and safe, while Father Robin would bring worms for Mother Robin to eat. She was content to wait while her babies prepared to be born. Sheltered in the seclusion of the rosebush, they would have not been seen from the ground. Only the little girl saw their family unfold while standing at the bedroom window, observing their every move. How much more does God see as He watches over each of us, every moment of the day?
Isn’t it amazing how we can find contentment and security in the most unusual of places? These robins were smart – they built their home in the middle of a thorny rosebush, to protect themselves from becoming prey, and to give their young an opportunity to survive and thrive amid the thorns. As parents, we try to protect our children from the things that may hurt them, but we know we cannot shelter them completely from the hardships maturity and adulthood brings. Like the Robins, we give our children a solid foundation and faith to sustain them as they encounter the prickly, sharp edges of the thorns we face in our daily living.
When the Robin eggs cracked and the baby birds hatched, Mother Robin would spend the day grooming her babies, feeding them worms whenever their mouths would fly open. She kept them warm, and protected them until they were big enough to fly. Their songs of love filled the air. I love listening to the baby robins chirping away in their nest. I wondered about their happy and joyful melodies – were they praising their creator? Did their joy-filled songs come out of gratitude for life, breath and the ability to fly? Is that why their red breasts glowed, because God filled their hearts with a love they could not hide?
At the appropriate time, Mother Robin would push her young out of the nest, praying they would spread their wings and fly away. Challenging your children to “spread their wings and fly” from the family home is a bittersweet moment. We want to care for them forever, yet we recognize the greater need to allow our children the opportunity to mature and follow their hearts as they live the life God designed for each of them.
Two sparrows were only worth a penny to some. Jesus said that the Father would not let one of them fall to the ground apart from His will. If God loves the tiny sparrows so, how much more does He care for you and me? We are His precious creation. He loves us with a greater passion than we will ever be able to comprehend or understand this side of Heaven. God nurtures our lives, preparing us for the day He will set us free, hoping we will choose to fly back to Him. Are you ready to fly with God? Will your flight pattern honor your Creator, Redeemer and friend?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Pray for: wings to fly and songs to sing as you live amid the thorns of life. Remember the value God places on the tiny sparrows; how much more He loves and cares for you!
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
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