Leaving the Nest

As I awoke this morning I was delighted to hear the sweet, gentle chirping of baby birds. Thanking their mother for the breakfast that she had found for them. The nest is safely tucked within the eves directly above my bedroom window. I recall being concerned with the location that the starling had chosen to build her nest. For when the rains fall would not her hard work be washed away into the downspout? So I had prayed. I prayed for protection for the nest and eggs that would soon fill it. And I prayed for the baby birds that would soon hatch from them. "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them...." Matthew 6:26 Yes! I knew that my Father, whom hears all prayers, would hear mine. And the concern within my heart for this mother bird.

You see, I am a mother of four. A step-daughter who is 29. A son, who will be turning 18 in August. And two more daughters of the ages 14 1/2 and almost 9.

Brittany, my eldest will be leaving in June to attend a nursing program over seas. My husband and I are praying for complete protection as she travels. Even though she been an adult for over ten years, we continue to experience all the normality that goes along with parenthood. Mixed emotions that I believe will always linger no matter where her journey takes her. And I will always hold within my heart the image of the little nine year old girl that stole my heart those twenty years ago.

Tyler will be a Senior this fall. The last year of his High School career. This upcoming year will fly right by. I know this full well as the last 17 and 1/2 years have gone by in a blink of an eye. A major has been chosen. Colleges are being weighed and considered. My little boy has become a man. The life choices that he has made could not make his Dad and I more proud. And I pray that the fire within his heart will never die, but continue to grow in strength as the years unfold before him.

My Anna will be graduating from 8th grade in a few short days. The sparkle in her eyes and laughter within her soul are contagious to all who know her. We were watching the seasons last episode of, 'The Middle', which the youngest character was also graduating from Junior High. As they were showing clips of his younger years, I saw my Anna in them. She is no longer a little girl. Somehow overnight, she has grown into a young woman. And I am going to hold onto every moment that will now follow.

We received an invitation last week to celebrate our 3rd grader who is graduating from the little grade school in town. I had not really thought of it that way. Yet, it is true. Emma will be entering a much larger school where she will be a smaller fish in a bigger pond. So, I will continue to treasure our cuddle time, it is such a precious gift to this Mother's heart.

Soon the baby birds will grow feathers upon their wings, and with their mother's coaching will learn to fly. By late summer they will be full grown and leave the comfort of their nest behind. These once frail babies will journey into this great big world. They will have learned what they were created to do. They will Soar.

" Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior so are the children of one's youth. How blessed [happy and fortunate] is the man whose quiver is filled with them." Psalm 127:3-5a  [AMP]