Outside of our living room window, deep in the dense cedar tree, there is a lot of activity. Seems that a small bird has chosen this very spot to build a nest. I'm disappointed that I cannot actually see the nest. I cannot see the progress that is being made as it is being shaped into a first home for the baby- birds- to -be.
That a nest is being built is certain. The little bird is busily flying in and out from the cedar with strands of dried straw. The branches of the cedar are shaking while the bird is here. The spot chosen for the nest is a perfect one. Up against the house it is somewhat protected from the weather, and deep in the branches the nest is hidden from human sight.
I couldn't help but make this an analogy to faith. Faith is like that hidden nest that is being shaped. It cannot be seen, but - if we are observant - we know when it is there. We know that it is there because of all the activity that goes into shaping it, and all the activity - "the works" surrounding it and emanating from it.
Just as the bird uses dry straw to build the nest, I think faith is built from a lot of the "dry straw" of our lives - the lifeless down to earth stuff that seems to be of no useful purpose to anyone, and most of all to ourselves. If we pick up those parts of our lives and bring them to faith - the true active belief in the power of Life itself - any of that can be shaped to nestle the beginnings of new life and hope for the future.
So I am thinking, what is the dry straw in my life that I can pick up to shape into potential for something new and wonderful to happen. Just as it is for the busy bird, it will take focus, determination and diligence.
I am very eager to see the new birds in the cedar tree.
