The Robin Nest

Last spring, a young robin chose an aspen tree in our front yard to build her nest. She was diligent in her work. Her desire was to have the best possible environment for her babies to live.

She was successful! The nest was built and then she waited. Waited for the time to lay her eggs.

She was successful yet again! She laid three perfect, blue eggs and then she waited. Waited for the babies to hatch.

This was probably the longest few weeks of her life. She sat and patiently kept watch over the little ones.

She encountered some obstacles during this time. There were storms. Big spring storms that nearly pushed the tree to the ground. One of her eggs could have fallen out of the nest or even worse, the entire nest could have fallen. But Mrs. Robin sat on that nest. She stood (or sat) firmly over her precious eggs.

She constantly protected her eggs. The tree she chose is not that old or large. Neighborhood cats, snakes, or other wild animals could easily have snatched one or all of her precious little ones. She needed to watch continuously for those dangers.

The day came when the birds began to break through the egg shells. One by one, these tiny ones poked their heads out and let their mother know they were alive, well, and hungry!

Her task was not complete. She tirelessly searched for food to feed these little ones. She continued to protect them from danger. She cared for them as diligently as she possibly could be. She was the best mama these tiny robins could have asked for.

As I watched this process, I often thought of how God cares for us. Specifically, how He protects us in His everlasting arms or under His wings.

In Psalm 17:8, David prays that God might “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Oh how wonderful! Being the apple of God’s eye. Because I am so special to Him, I know the protection found under His wings is all that I could possibly need.

We also see from Deuteronomy 33:27a that, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” In His arms we have refuge. In His arms we find protection. With God, we are in the shelter of His loving arms.

Mom’s minister stopped by this week to visit and he read Psalm 17:8 and sang a bit of the old hymn, Under His Wings. It was a great reminder of God’s constant care for us throughout our struggles.

Under His Wings

Under His wings I am safely abiding,

Tho the night deepens and tempests are wild;

Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me,

He has redeemed me and I am His child.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!

How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!

Often when earth has no balm for my healing,

There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment!

There will I hide till life's trials are o'er;

Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,

Resting in Jesus, I'm safe evermore.

Chorus:

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever.[i]

When it was time for the babies to fly away, Mrs. Robin was there to watch them leave the nest. She had done her job. She had completed her task.

God is diligently watching out for us, protecting us, covering us. Even more so because we are His beloved.

Life is so much easier within the arms of our heavenly Father. Regardless of your struggle today, run into His arms. Find rest, peace, and comfort under His wings. I can guarantee that you will find all that you've been looking for.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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[i] Under His Wings, William O. Cushing, Ira Sankey’s Sacred Songs No. 1, published in 1896.