Mama birds are clever.  They know that they need to get their babies to learn how to fly…they can’t stay in the nest forever.  For one, they know their babies have to start searching for their own food, and two, these babies are becoming much louder and will begin to attract larger prey who will find them easier by hearing their loud chirping.  So, they must get them out of that nest and out learning how to fly.

I did a little reading up on this and found out that many mama birds lure their babies out of the nest with food by standing on a nearby branch with it, so that the babies have to actually get out of the nest to go and get it.  SO clever, right? I know!!  It forces these babies to be brave, but it also shows them that they can, indeed, do it.  It’s BABY STEPS…no pun intended!!  So, I guess we can now say that birds are smart…no more calling someone a “bird brain!” 😉  Sorry, I couldn’t resist!  Here’s where I’m actually going with this…

Sometimes I think God does the same thing with me.  He’s like the Mama bird, and I’m the cozy, wanting to be safe at all times, full of fears, baby bird who wants to sit there waiting for God to bring me whatever I want.  He knows I’m afraid to do certain things at times, so He will create circumstances that will force me to move.  At the time, I’m scared, uncomfortable, a little mad at Him, and often confused as to why on earth things are happening this way.  But then, once I have reached the tree branch He’s right there waiting for me with something sweet!  He’s got a plan to teach me how to fly…but He’s first got to get me out of that nest! 🙂

Here’s my example of this:  Our move from Brentwood to Moraga three years ago was a crazy one and full of stressful situations (if you’ve read my past blogs, you will remember this).  My husband had gotten laid off from work because his boss had sold the company.  Many people lost their jobs along with him and it was rough.  I was a stay at home mom at the time, and suddenly our landlord decided to sell the house we were renting.  Everything seemed out of our control almost overnight!  In a whirlwind of one thing after the next, we were suddenly packing up all of our belongings into storage and moving in with my parents until we had BOTH secured jobs.  I found myself going back to teaching full time…but this time around I was a mom with three kids… trying to keep them from feeling any stress in this. The kids were so brave as they said good bye to all their best friends in Brentwood and packed up all their things for what ended up being two years!  They didn’t understand so much of the what or why all of this was happening…yet they trusted us and listened as we told them God had good things ahead.  I was a mixture of trying to be brave and trust God, while also feeling scared and unsure and confused myself by all that was happening.  Our “nest” was literally gone in what seemed like an instant and we found ourselves suddenly out on the branch!  BUT…God was there, and He had something sweet for us.

As difficult as that season was, both Mike and I can look back at this now and see God’s hand in it.  It’s weird to say, but I’m actually glad it all happened.  God indeed moved us out of our nest…literally!  He was that Mama bird, sitting on the branch with food…wanting us to trust Him that things were going to be okay.  Our circumstances FORCED us out of that nest…but along came the reward…a wonderful job teaching kindergarten at the same school my kids attend.  I actually get to see them MORE because I see them all the time at school!!  😉 There came along a wonderful job for Mike that he’s super excited about, great teachers and new friends for our kids, a wonderful close-knit community to live in,  a church that we absolutely LOVE to go to, and most of all, our kiddos saw God move firsthand!!  They now have an understanding that even when times get tough, God always comes through.  You can’t teach that better than going through it!!   Our kids also have such special memories now (to share with their own kids one day) of living with Papa and Lulu (that’s what they call my parents).  We had a wonderful time with them and are forever grateful that they took us in! 🙂 The blessing are still coming in and we are in AWE of God’s goodness and love.

Just like that Mama bird…God cleverly moved us onto that branch with Him…(kinda felt like a bird foot shove)… but He was there, He fed us, and now we are better equipped to “fly” into whatever He has for us because we know He will be there…every time.

SO…if you’re in a “bird leaving nest forced onto branch” situation, be encouraged!  No…better yet, be EXCITED because God has amazing things in store for you!  Trust Him…trust His plan, trust His heart and don’t be afraid to leave the nest.  God is right there with you and He wants to teach you how to FLY! 🙂

“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.  They spread their wings and soar like eagles.”  Isaiah 40:31