I Know Whom I Have Believed...


Friday, June 18, 2010

Simple Joys - A Safe Place

simple joys

with Jan @ Simple Joys in our Life

One of my simple joys for this week was right on my front door.

The front porch of my house catches the first rays of the sun, before the heat of the day has time to make it go from pleasant to scorching...

This makes an ideal spot for ferns and coleus and other shade loving plants. I like to hang ferns all around the edge of the porch...and the birds tend to like the fact that I like to do that...

Every spring since we moved here, mother birds would build nests in the ferns in anticipation of their eggs hatching in a “safe” place...and each spring we would have visiting neighborhood cats decide to party on our front porch at night...

The baby birds never made it for very long.

Despite the baskets being hung as high as possible, the natural instinct of these wandering felines led them to scale railings and jump with Olympic fervor towards the sounds they heard and the scents they smelled...

So after two times of trying to explain to the grandkids what happened to the bird eggs or baby birds, crumpled aluminum foil became the standard decoration for the center of the plants...

THIS spring, a brave mother bird decided to build her nest in the basket of silk greenery that was hung on the front door...

Would this work? We do go in and out the front door quite often...how would she react when the babies were in the nest? Would she get upset while I tended to the plants on the porch each morning?

I am happy to report that it DID work out perfectly...when the mother would hear the door being unlocked, she would swoop over to an observation point in a neighboring tree...she never fussed or called out loudly...but just perched...watching and waiting until the door was shut again...

We enjoyed hearing the little peeps of the babies...and watching the hardworking parents feeding their young...

Monday morning when I opened the door, the nest was empty...

But it was intact...a souvenir of a temporary home...one that was guarded day and night...and never left alone...

I was joyful because the birds had survived the first stretch of their brief time here on earth...sheltered under a porch roof...and a watchful eye...

When we as children of God, remain in the shadow of His wings...we are in the safest place we can possibly be in this temporary home...

He will not move away from us...but if we choose to leave His shelter...He will be watching...and waiting... for us to return home...for unlike the nest of the baby birds...our home is everlasting...

psalm91_4




18 thoughts:

Denise said...

Yes, yes, yes, my precious forever refuge. Lovely post sis. I love you.

Anonymous said...

One of the sweetest analogies I've read. Wishing you a blessed day Karen.

Sandy said...

On this beautiful end of Spring
morning, I sat down to read the
blogs I follow. I was delighted
to read yours and the story of
the precious bird family. I am
an avid bird watcher and really
enjoyed this wonderful analogy
of our Father's love and care
for us. Thanks so much! This
just made my day, Karen!
Love,
Sandy

Anonymous said...

This was precoius to read this morning, Karen. I am so thankful to my Father for leading you to share this. Speaks to my heart so much.

Have a lovely Friday.

Barbara said...

Oh yes my friend, the simple joys are the real life, and the ones to completely love and trust in, hugs and blessings, Barbara

Laurie said...

I say "amen" to this post, Karen. This is 1 of my favorite verses, and you found a wonderful pictuer to g with it. I read your story of the birds in the nest on yur front door with great anticipation! What a wise mother bird; she trusted you and her young ones were finally safe to leave the nest. I am so glad our Father in heaven is faithful to watch ove us.

Cindy said...

The verse in the picture is one of my favorites. I love the whole chapter in fact.

I was blessed by your post today!

Missie said...

Beautiful post! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful story and picture. I love watching the birds in my back yard. There are three. I have nicknamed them Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They have been back there since they were babies. They must be very fast to stay away from the wild kitties.

Thanks for always commented on my posts. It is very encouraging to get feedback and see your smiling face.

Blessings,
Tammy

Jan said...

That is so beautiful, Karen.
Love and Blessings - Jan

Crystal Roberts said...

Enjoyed this post. I think it is really neat how some of our biggest blessings are right under our noses :)

Joyful said...

Such a lovely post. I'm sad to hear how so many birds did not make it but glad to know that they persevered. It always gives me great comfort too to know that we are safely cared for by our loving Heavenly Father. Blessings.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

You know I love this post, loving the sunshine, and yes he is our refuge
kim

God Whispers In The Wind said...

Karen this is so very precious. Enjoyed reading this post. Blessings.

Carrie said...

You think of the neatest things!!!! You should write a book.

Joan Hall said...

Karen - this is beautiful. No better place to be than beneath the shadow of His wings.

Blessings,
Joan

luvmy4sons said...

What a great object lesson! We have birds that often build on our porch too...and somehow they manage to make it out of the yard because we have a dog and not cats! So glad that God is my refuge!

Wanda said...

Thanks for sharing this Karen and reminding me of my eternal safe place. Beautiful picture and verse too.

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