It's a Bird's Life

Jul. 15, 2008

On The Edge

Those nestlings just outside my front door are getting bigger and stronger every day! Just a few days ago they could hardly hold their heads up and were making sounds that were barely audible. They were covered in soft downy fuzz and the only distinguishable feature were their bills pointing up and out waiting for mama and papa birds to drop in some tasty morsel. Only yesterday we began to see their individual heads bobbing around the edges of the nest. This morning we could clearly see all five little birds, complete with recognizable plumage struggling to keep their place in the nest as the others jostled them about. They were peering anxiously at every movement in the driveway and yard below as they preened their new feathers and chirped loudly for the next meal. By all appearances, these "teenagers" are feeling crowded in that nest and are ready to fly away.

We're doing a lot of "tip-toeing" around as we go in and out today. We don't want to do anything to startle the birds and cause them to fly prematurely. We learned last year how disastrous that could be. Even though they look like they're ready, and they probably "think" they are, too, it's important that they stay in the protective confines of the nest until the moment that God has predetermined for them to take to flight.

I'm impressed that our teen-agers are so like these young birds. They grow so rapidly, and soon their bodies resemble that of adults...mature and ready to take on the world. Their confidence grows just as rapidly, and they tend to over-estimate their abilities. It's equally important that we proceed gently with our young people, encouraging them to stretch and explore the world around them without pushing them into independence before they are really ready. Remember, they will look and sound mature long before they actually are. Let us be wise and judge our children's maturity with the wisdom that the Lord (who sees the heart) gives.

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My Nest

I love bird-watching! God has taught me so much from the close observation of these small wonders of His creation which He has promised to provide for in every way. They have been both my example and my encouragement. I hope you will find good things to nourish and build up your nest as you visit mine!

Songs, Calls, and Twitterings

• Preparing for Migration
• Sonshine and Shadows
• Bye-bye Birdies
• And Then There Were Four
• Testing
• On The Edge
• Welcome to Our Nest!

A Bird's Eye View

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• Home-Designed High School
by Diana Johnson
• Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott

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