|
He's a hardworking father, diligently struggling to
feed his little family.? The babies clamor for
nourishment, yet remain strangely silent in spite of
their frenzy.? Faithful and patient, the father
returns again and again, each time bringing some new
expected treat.? It is impossible not to stare at the
silent ballet of love, devotion, and self-sacrifice.?
Each tiny mouth is fed, equally and fairly, as if the
young father keeps accurate accounts.
The young robin's nest has been built low to the
ground and exposed to the sky, so it is obvious that
he is young and inexperienced in the ways of the world
in which he lives.? No stray cats nor hawks disturb
the imagination of this devoted dad.?
I
sit on the ground, tearing up the sod to expose the
juicy worms and grubs, and I pray for the safety of
the lonely male, who remains devoted to nest and
family.? His four younglings will soon hunt in our
front garden, ravenously devouring any insects and
grubs that come within their grasp.
I
cannot help but wonder about the mother of the little
nestlings.? Where has she gone?? And why does she not
return?? Perhaps she fell victim to the many cats that
roam in our neighborhood.? Perhaps she found a new
husband who was more desirable.? Or perhaps she
understood the uncertainties of life, trusting in this
young family man to remain faithful no matter what
became of her.? Perhaps, like me, she found it easy to
fall in love with the male who would best provide for
her children should she no longer be able to.
There is a lesson as well as a mystery here in my
front garden.? The mystery of why, where, and how can
only be answered by the lesson of faithfulness and
diligence of this young, male robin.? Parental love is
not exclusive to the mothering hen, but it also burns
within the heart of the single father, who asks
nothing more than the opportunity to serve with love.
Jaye Lewis
Jaye Lewis is a born again Christian and award winning
writer who looks at life from a unique perspective,
celebrating the miraculous in the day to day.? Jaye
writes and lives with her family in the Appalachian
Mountains of Virginia.? Jaye is searching for a
publisher of her recently completed manuscript,
Entertaining Angels.? Jaye is also contributing author
to Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul and Chicken
Soup for Every Mom's Soul.? Her website can be found
at
www.entertainingangels.org |
