The Call to Fly

"3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice."  (John 10:3-4)

Babies know Momma's voice...They sing back the same chirp...Dad joins the song...It's a song that beckons the frightened babies to take the plunge out of the nest...The bush trembles at their movement.  Momma leaves for a moment and the babies call loudly.  She comes back, on the ground now, making her demands louder.  Their insistent chirp back seems to be screaming, "I'm not ready to go."  She continues to come back, each time with more food the strengthen the apprehensive, readying babies.

New seasons of life for our babies are so hard at times, but God blesses us with them so that we can call them out of the nest to try out what we've taught them to spread their wings and FLY!  (Sidenote...I have had 3 litters (i know they're not called litters, but you get it) of baby robins from the same mom and dad all summer.  They have been nesting since April 15th, and the last 3 flew the coop last week...)

Give Me a Drink!

The temperature in Tennessee this week will be close to 100 degrees.  The heat index will be close to 110 degrees.  I usually water my flowers every other day in the summer, but because of the heat, I am stepping it up daily, at least until the heat subsides.  The Miracle Grow has even made its way out of the shed, as I'm fearful that the flowers will wilt in the heat.

As I made my way around the yard, flooding all of my plants with a good drink of water, God turned my thoughts toward my own walk with Him.  I had to ask myself the question, "When I feel the sweltering heat come into my own life through challenges, pain, weakness, or sadness, do I flood my life with an extra drink in the Word to sustain me?"  Many times, the answer is "No".  I become so consumed with the circumstance, "the heat", that it becomes my main focus, and not the Source that can give me a drink through the relief and nourishment of His Word.

I look at my flowers and I'm reminded that they need watered regularly in order to stay healthy, and a double watering when the heat tries to consume them.  My life, also, needs a watering of His Word to keep me healthy as well, and when the heat comes, it needs a double portion! 

"you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."  (John 4:10)