Mockingbirds

I have a mockingbird nest in my honeydew drop bush. For days I've watched the babies grow and mature and the mother tending them. They constantly squawk like they're hungry all the time. After awhile I noticed they were developing a fluffy coat of fur and I knew it was getting time for their flight into the dark world from the safety and security of their nest. The other day I noticed one of them a few feet from the nest, perched on a branch. I got a real close up of him and felt blessed to be so close to one of Gods creations. He was so cute. I wanted to touch him but I remembered what I was taught as a child, that the mother will abandon the nest if she senses it, so I didn't. Everyday since then I've gone to look to see where he is, for it brings me great joy, it's at these times I feel close to God. I thought how scary it must be for the bird to think that he must now make it on his own without his mother to care for him.

So it was at this time last spring I was out watering my garden and I was feeling a bit down. I heard a little squawking sound coming from inside my honey dew drop bush. There lie a bird's nest and when I pulled on a branch to get a closer peek four baby birds raised up their heads and opened their mouths awaiting food from their mother. My mood suddenly changed and I was elated at the sight. As the days rolled by I would always go by and look into the nest, being careful to not get too close. One day I noticed the nest was empty and I thought they had gone off with their mother. But to my amazement they were nearby, to be found in the large cherry tree or the hedge around the house. As the months have gone by I've realized that they never left. The four of them are still here and often when I come home they're on the sidewalk as if greeting me. I'd like to think that in some way we bonded and they feel safe here. Of all the places they could live they've stayed close to their nest and it's occurred to me that there's no place like home...

So it is for us a scary world we live in and sometimes we have to "stick our necks out" and do something that is uncomfortable and fills us with fear but God said 'I will never leave you nor forsake you', and we face it head on, just like that baby bird about to take his first flight with his mother watching over him...
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress

The presence of angels

The angels are rejoicing in heaven today

because a sinner was sorrowful

and repented of his ways

and though temptation faces us all

the Lord has shown us a better way, to

stand tall

and turn away from those things

that bring us deep in our sin

and look to the cross and believe on him

for we must choose to do right or wrong

and if you belong to Jesus he'll help you be strong

when you make the wrong turn

he'll help you find your way back

through repentance and forgiveness

he'll act on your behalf

give the best you can out of love for him

for your Jesus loved you so much

he died for your sins...

Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress