The Empty Nest

The other day, this young Robin perched on my patio chair for around 15 minutes. It actually let me stroke its feathers, which made me think he was hurt. He didn't even mind that I let Cassie (our enormous Golden Retriever) outside. But, when I looked again a few minutes later, he was gone.

This reminded me of the birds' nests my children have outside their windows. Each of their bedroom windows has an awning- something I'm not really a big fan of, but I don't take down because of the birds. Every Spring, a Mama Sparrow makes these nests a home for her baby birds. Then after they fly away, another bird comes and uses the nest. Each awning houses one nest and we've had two sets of baby birds in each nest.

It was a very sad day in my house when our first batch of baby birds flew away. They would stand on the edge of the nest, stretch their wings, and take a leap of faith. Amazingly, they all fly away within one day of each other and they never return (unless as a mama bird to have babies).

Can you believe that one day my children are going to spread their wings and take a leap of faith as they enter the world-- and I will be left with an empty nest? I can see why parents suffer from Empty Nest Syndrome-- I suffered from it just when my birds left. But, I have faith that God will help me prepare my kiddos for the world-- whether it's for preschool this fall or heading off to college. But, I still think I'll miss my nest full of my babies!