I walked outside a couple of weeks ago and noticed a bird flying very close to me, out from underneath my porch, flying like it was being chased. Really startled me. I stopped and looked up and noticed something new, a nest:
You see the nest, in the corner there? It's impressive. Sturdy construction, out of wind and rain. The bird did well, I am thinking, although Mother says a snake can still get into it. I suppose that's something the bird took into account, but felt like overall it was a good spot.
In February, I put out four lovely cedar birdhouses, as you can see here, but apparently they didn't appeal to this bird. She made her nest where she felt it was safest.
Perhaps the lesson I need to learn is that you cannot control a wild creature. I don't know. My son has been wild lately, and had me worried. I have had a lot of discussions in the past week with him, about his behavior. He likes to do things his way, without listening to mama, but I pointed out that he needs to try listening to me for a change.
I told him when I was 19 life wasn't too great for me either. I started my sophomore year at UGA knowing nobody, and I wasn't able to make any lasting friends that entire year. I liked my roommate and she was reasonably nice but she was a senior and not really interested in hanging out with a sophomore. My dad and I were having a lot of fights, all the time. That put a strain on my normally excellent relationship with my mother. I drove an old car that broke down a lot. I didn't like living in an un-air conditioned dorm. I didn't go on a date that entire year. Life was NOT exactly hunky dory for me. He looked startled - I guess thinking because I had a daddy who had a good job and we lived in a nice house and didn't have money woes that everything was great. It wasn't.
I won't go into details of my other discussions with Michael but here's something I told him this morning that seemed to perk up his mood a bit, after I hugged him: we prayed together and I asked Jesus to be with him and help him to see past his troubles, and to guide him in all things. I told Mike that last week when I was having a really tough week I kept picturing Jesus walking beside me, or riding in the car with me, and that picture always helped me to stay calm and focused.
I am not a bible-thumping fundamentalist - far from it. I just know what works. Listen to this gorgeous song - which has been in my head a lot - and remember who is in control -