safe.

My baby bird didn't make it ...

I was mowing grass last night, listneing to birds chirping and thought, I need to go check on my baby birds before they leave the nest.  So, I put away the lawnmower and dragged out my step stool and my camera and opened the front door ... and there was the nest and a sweet baby bird on the ground.  We had horrible wind yesterday and I guess it blew the nest off of the post.  Maybe the other little babies made it.  Sad day.  :-(

This morning, I was reminded of the protection and provision God has for those who follow Him.  I'll be honest, sometimes it doesn't feel like He's sheltering us ... I read the blog earlier of a family who lost their sweet two week newborn to a genetic condition.  I have a friend in CO, anxiously awaiting a CAT scan on her 7 month old that will answer questions about a condition she may have.  I have watched friends walk through heartbreaking marital struggles and betrayals, and I have watched mama's hurt and grieve for the hurt their cildren go through ... and I will be honest, I have to wonder, "what is He doing?" ... but I keep reminding myself we don't KNOW ... that's the bottom line.  His ways are not our ways and He alone holds the picture ... the BIG picture ... and we will never know what He is holding back from our lives.  But we DO know His love for us and we DO know His character and we Do know his power. 

PS told the story in this morning's study about a fireman finding a charred bird after the forest fires in Yellowstone cleared a few years ago.  The bird was statue-like where it had been burned to death.  As he tipped the bird over with his toe, five little baby bird scampered out from under their mama.  She died saving her babies.  And to think, God's not going to be outdone by a mama bird in Yellowstone.  No ... 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
Psalm 91:1-4