I was working on a book when God asked me to use a lesson that He taught me years ago to illustrate the value of building a secure home. It was the lesson of the “birds’ nest.” At first, I thought; how is that going to help us with building a strong, holy family? Then I remembered the lesson that had I learned from the “birds’ nest.”

 

During a rough time in my life, when everything was such a struggle; family, friends, work, school, and my health, I learned about the wisdom of the “birds’ nest”. On my way to the college one day, I was riding the bus which gave me the freedom to enjoy the scenery, when I noticed high atop a tree, a “birds nest”.

 

I had traveled that way every day and never noticed the nest before. As the bus passed the trees, I kept my eyes focused on the tree-lines along the road, and every couple of trees I would notice more “birds’ nests”. The fact that there were so many of them surprised me, but what really caught my attention was that; they were so high up in the trees. Another day, I got a special treat along that same stretch of road; when I noticed an eagle’s nest, sitting high atop a utility pole. It was huge. I thought; “Wow!”

 

God whispered to me, “Have you ever noticed that the birds and eagles don’t build their nests low in the trees, they are always near the middle or near the top?”

 

Before He asked, I hadn’t noticed. But now it made me think. Hum, I wonder why? I rationalized that it would only make sense to build them low to the ground instead way up in the top of the tree. Then God interjected and explained, “It would make sense to you as a human, but as a bird or an eagle; it makes sense to build far away from other predators that could invade the nest. Building low to the ground would compromise the safety of the nest and the birds that dwell in them.”

 

I had never thought about it that way. But then I began to ask more questions about the nest and God revealed some wonderful answers. He taught me about building a safe nest (home) and that, “By His wisdom the birds have the ability to build the nest, and it’s innate within them.” They don’t use hammers, nails or a blueprint; they simply follow the wisdom of God. And that’s exactly what we should do when building our families and homes.”

 

I thought about the fact that the birds and eagles don’t have hammers and nails, all they have and all they need are their beaks, twigs and God’s wisdom. With these resources they construct some of the most intricate structures in nature. It’s amazing when you think about it.

 

Another day, while I was riding the bus, I looked up; as I do regularly now, to see a “birds’ nest” hanging from a tree. My first inclination was to become sad, but God showed me that, even though the nest was hanging from the tree; it was still in the tree. Then He went on to teach me that, “The ‘birds’ nest’ is a secure structure when built on the specifications of God’s wisdom. The only thing that will demolish or interfere with that structure is a manmade or natural disaster. It is structured to withstand high winds, torrential rain, and even snow.”

 

From the lesson of the “birds’ nest” I’ve learned that without the proper guidance from God we will never have stable secure homes and families. It takes God’s wisdom to help us see that a home worth living in is a home not built with human hands. Its foundation must be set by the Word and wisdom of God. He has the blueprint to our lives, and only He can instruct us in how to build (create) safe and secure families and homes.

 

Can you just imagine the kind of wisdom and the time it takes for a bird to build a “birds’ nest”? The gathering of the twigs and the intricate details that must go into laying each and every twig in exactly the right way to intertwine them for stability; so that the nest won’t be blown away.

 

Or they could just go and get a bunch of twigs and drop them wherever and think nothing else about it, until the storm comes, and the winds blow. But at that point it will be too late, and they won’t survive the storm.

 

I have found out that Love (God) is in the details. God has made sure that those little birdies would have a safe place to live. He didn’t stop with them; He’s done the same for every creature in nature; especially the ones He dearly loves—us.

 

Because Love (God) is in the details, we need to mind the details. Sometimes we create families and homes with all the wrong kinds of people for all the wrongs kinds of motives. Then we find ourselves suffering in our own homes, when our homes should be our rest haven, and a shelter from the storms.

 

Proverbs 4: 5-9 reads, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.”

 

Proverbs 14:1 reads, “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

 

We need to be sure that we are building our house, not destroying it. For my single brothers and sisters this means, choosing a suitable mate. Give thought to the right kind of man/woman God desires for you to create (build) a secure nest (home) with. Then be sure to respect your wives/husbands and raise your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  In this way you will strengthen your family and secure the family nest (home).

 

Just as God has given the birds a safe and enjoyable home, He wants us to have even more. Be mindful of how you are building your nest (home). Then you can rest assured that the storms of life won't destroy it.