It is Spring! And the birds are singing as they claim and protect their territory as they nest.

I have a Cardinal, who for the past 5 weeks, has banged himself against my sunroom window, my kitchen window, my living room window and my study window. The cat at first thought this was exciting but now has grown bored by it!

Outside my front door I have a tall shrub – not sure what it is – but a small house finch built a nest there. I became aware of it when each time I’d step outside to get the mail, the mother bird flew out. One day I peeked in and saw the nest and 4 eggs. The next day, I saw 5 eggs.

She sat on them faithfully. Each day I’d check on their progress – careful not to disturb her. And one day I saw 3 baby birds – naked and ugly! Then two more hatched. I was concerned how they’d all fit in that tiny nest as they grew. I watched them grow and develop beaks, real feathers… It was fun.

Then we had a terribly windy day. And I noticed the nest had pitched over. Three baby birds were cleaning tightly to the shrub branch. One was on the ground beneath.
I don’t know what happened to the other.

I continued to watch. Then I noticed yesterday, all were gone. Just the empty nest was there. It made me sad. But maybe they had grown enough to fly off on their own.

But in all of this process I could help but think of Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel: “Are not too sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (Mt. 10:29) and “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Mt. 6:26)

With the COVID 19 there is much anxiety, fear, worry. I understand that. There is much uncertainty. The one certainty we have is that God is in control – this did not take Him by surprise. He is on His throne. He loves us – that’s what Good Friday was about – “God so loved that He gave…” He has a plan. And we can trust Him – totally. Is it easy? No. Does it come automatically? No. Do we feel it all the time? No. That’s why it is called faith.