The Nest Looks Different
For the past few summers, we have had our own Animal Planet episode materializing on our front porch. A momma barn swallow has decided that a small ledge about 15 feet in the air is the perfect nesting spot for her growing family.
Watching a bird build a nest is really an interesting process. So much energy is expended in the searching and gathering of the proper materials. Then the craftsmanship of building the nest into a sturdy shelter to raise multiple baby birds is an intriguing feat to behold. Each nest is built and designed for the needs of the species.
The climax of the summer episode was when we began to hear other bird voices and see tiny bodies in the nest with the mom. But later came the drama. You guessed it - with multiple birds comes quantities of bird excrement. Scrubbing the porch with bleach water was an added chore. (Also, warning guests to get inside the house quickly before an accident landed on their heads.)
With that nest came the good with the bad, much like our own “nests.” The Animal Planet episode on our porch has concluded for this season, and the momma and baby birds have flown away. Meanwhile, my own nest looks different. We moved our oldest off to college this week.
Up until now, my husband and I had a major impact on our son’s plans for life. We guided him in the faith. For a long while, we told him what clothes and shoes to wear! We helped him make decisions, and as he got older, the weight of the decisions grew with him. We tried to construct a healthy and virtuous nest around him.
Reflecting on these past few days, I saw how moving a child off to college is surrendering to God’s plan for my child. I would be foolish to think that Logan’s life is all part of my plan for him. No, there is a path being worn for Logan, and I sure hope that God has a greater part of that plan than my own will for Logan’s life. Logan’s plan is not my plan. He is God’s child, and thankfully always will be. My husband and I were blessed to be entrusted with Logan’s care, and now is that next chapter of trusting that we did alright and God’s still going to walk alongside him.
Moving a child off to college, or wherever that next step in life takes them, is a letting go that is necessary. It’s also necessary in our own lives as we surrender the tough stuff to God. Your nest may be changing too. Maybe it’s growing with a new little one, or an additional son or daughter in law. Maybe you had kiddos move back to college after summer or recently take their first jobs. Maybe the people around you have changed or circumstances at work have changed, causing unrest, uncertainty, or uneasiness. Challenge yourself to replace fear with faith. (Our principal said the same thing to our entire high school yesterday.) By replacing fear with faith, we are no longer turning inward on our own circumstance and emotions, but we’re looking outward and upward to a God who cares and hopefully others in our nest we can lean on as well.
My nest looks different. But it’s supposed to. May we face changes and challenges in our life with faith and trust in God who is the Master Builder.