I was doing some yard work the other day when I noticed what looked like a little black ball underneath the mimosa tree. As I came closer, I realized it was a baby bird. I looked up and could see the nest–about 10 feet high in the fork between two branches. Mom, a yellow billed cuckoo, was sitting up there with two other hatchlings visible beside her.
My wife and I debated about what to do. The chick on the ground seemed no worse for wear. Should we put it back in the nest? A quick internet search told us that birds have a poor sense of smell and don’t normally reject a chick handled by humans. But we also found a warning to not disturb migratory birds or their young. Well, our apologies to the wildlife service, but we decided to intervene.
I grabbed a six foot step ladder, put on some disposable gloves and waited. Before too long, mother bird decided to run some errands, and that’s when I sprang into action. Positioning the ladder under the tree, I gently picked up the baby bird, and put him back in the nest with his siblings. Mom returned a few minutes later with some food and all was well.
This whole scene brought to mind a promise from Psalm 91: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge (vv. 1, 4a).”
Obviously, the little hatchling didn’t fall out of the nest on purpose, but his predicament also reminds me of something Jesus said when he arrived in Jerusalem before that last Passover.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often have I longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.
Matthew 23:37
The application to the body of Christ is clear. In the nest (fellowship of believers) we are safe in God’s care. However, outside the nest, we are vulnerable to predators.
Satan and his demon goons are like lions on the savanna–waiting to cull one of God’s children from the herd (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy seeks to separate Christians from each other, because he knows this: when we stray from the fellowship, we are alone and defenseless (Matthew 9:36).
To enjoy God’s best, we must stay in the nest!
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1
“Bird’s Nest” by Rugged Lens is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
25 responses to “Falling out of the Nest”
Thanks, Crystal. Sometimes stuff just happens. The world needs more fixers, not blamers.
Blessings!
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I like the point about the little hatchling who didn’t do it on purpose…and to know we are covered.
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Glad you enjoyed hearing about Cheep the Independent. We were away on a trip to the mountains, and I am still getting caught up on the posts I missed while gone. Your post was a great one to come back to.
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Thank you. Blessings!
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love this! Safe in His care🙏🙇♂️
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Beth. I love your story about the baby field sparrow! Blessings.
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“In the nest (fellowship of believers) we are safe in God’s care. However, outside the nest, we are vulnerable to predators.” Well said David! So glad you and your wife’s mission was successful. Reminds me of Jude’s admonition to “save others by snatching them from the fire” (verse 23). Several years back I found two frantic field sparrows hovering over my strawberry bed. It was berry season and the bed was covered. When I entered it to pick the berries, I discovered their baby wandering among the plants. He was just small enough to make it through the fencing that kept out the rabbits and adult birds. I searched to no avail for their nest in hopes of making a return. Carefully I moved him into the herb section of my garden where the parents continued to tend to him. We watched these parents hover near and care for their hatchling as he moved from our garden into the yard and eventually out into the meadow. My daughter named him Cheep the Independent.
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Me too, Dawn! Outside of God’s protection we are vulnerable to the enemy of our souls. Thank you for stopping by! Blessings.
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Christian fellowship is so important. We must keep one another encouraged. I am glad the Lord protects us daily.
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Yes, it truly takes the whole Body of Christ to be the church. Thank you for reading and commenting, CG. As I’ve told you before, your blog ministry is one I seek to emulate—in my own way, of course. Blessings!
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So true. It’s also important to stay in the nest with other believers who can help us discern the schemes of the evil one and care for one another.
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Thank you, Mandy. Barb often has insights about my posts that I didn’t think of. I love our WP community!
Thank you for the Father’s Day wishes! God Bless.
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Great post! Loved the message and the different angles highlighted by you and Barb! Happy Father’s Day!!!
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Thanks, Maria! Yes. “Always be kind, because we can’t rewind.”
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I’m happy you decided to intervene. We are each here to shine love and light, guiding one another through acts of kindness and compassion back to our nests. Back to God, to His plans for us. Beautiful story that symbolizes these intentions David. Happy Father’s Day to you😊❤🙏
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Yes sir, Matt! The lions on the “Savannah” are hoping we don’t. This is all the more reason we should prioritize our fellowship—with God and each other. Blessings.
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I am honored that you feel this is share worthy, Barb. Thanks!
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Thanks, Barb! I was thinking more about the importance of believers remaining in fellowship with God and each other, but this story DOES speak to abiding in Christ. I appreciate the fresh angle! Blessings.
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So important to stay in fellowship
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Reblogged this on My Life in Our Father's World and commented:
A great story of what it means to ABIDE in Christ.
“To enjoy God’s best, we must stay in the nest!”
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Love this…”To enjoy God’s best, we must stay in the nest!” …..What a great way to think of Abiding in Christ!
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Thank you for your thoughts.
One of my favorite quotes about the power and safety of working together is,
“Nobody’s perfect, but a team CAN be.” Chris Croft
It truly takes a village! I appreciate your little trauma recovery community.
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Yes, we need other people, and especially other believers. Sometimes we only realize how much we need each other when we are outside the nest, dealing with something that is hard or threatening. But once we are back in the nest again, we recognize how feel safe and protected we now feel. Thanks for another thought-provoking post.
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You highlight a very valuable need in our Christian walk for fellowship, like birds on migration we should fly together. I thank our Father God for the blessing of fellowship on WordPress and in Glenrothes Baptist Church, through these I am lifted and encouraged regularly. God bless you brother.
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