Today’s walk with my sweet, handsome ruby red King Charles Cavalier Spaniel brought an extra smile to my face. Finn and I had run into our friendly new neighbor, Robin, and her white lab, Parker. As the dogs cautiously sniffed, yet mainly dodged each other; we talked about why it is that names are so hard to remember, and discussed how we could remember each other’s names.

She told me she uses her favorite TV show characters as a trigger. We discovered that some of episodes from The Office have caused both of us to erupt into uncontrollable fits of hysterical laughter. She decided she’d remember my name, because of Angela. “Oh of course,” I said, “I have to be a crazy character!” We giggled while parting ways, looking forward to next time. I walked away, thinking of how I had sung out, “Robin! Robin! Robin… like the beautiful spring bird!”

As if God was reminding me how important names really are, Finn and I reached our front sidewalk. There, alone on the grass, lay a perfectly, beautiful blue robin egg. Oh no! Where is its mommy? I need to find its nest! I went inside and called my daughter to come see, and to please help me look for the baby egg’s home.

We didn’t have to look far. We both cautiously reached into the first bush, and there the nest lay… empty. Were there more eggs? Has the momma come and gone? Will she come back and care for her young one? Does she know her baby egg is missing? Does she know her little bird’s name?

Very slowly, my daughter held back the leaves as I placed the egg, at an angle, gently as I could, into the small, deep nest. My daughter, Abby, reassured me that the egg wouldn’t break as it landed, because the nest was soft for the eggs. I felt happy about rescuing the egg, but all I could do now was to hope, and pray. I began to think of how it’s kind of the way we do with our own children when they sometimes lose their way… hope and pray. But then I thought of how God knows about every bird which has fallen out of its nest… and he cares. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (Matt. 10:29 NIV).

Just like baby birds, many of us get dropped, lost, and abandoned. Our earthly mothers and fathers let us down. Some go so far as to completely abandon us. Then what? Who will feed us? Who will help us learn to fly? Who will love us?

Jesus will! God will! God is perfection. He is our mother and our father when we have none. He nurtures us and feeds us the bread of life, through His Son Jesus Christ. When we fall from the nest, He finds us, because, after all; we are never lost under his care. He picks us up and places us back into His warm, feathery nest; where he shields and comforts us. “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Ps. 91:4).

Our Holy Father fixes our broken wings so we can soar like eagles. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Is. 40:30-31).

God guides us towards Jesus, who gives us salvation, and shows us the true way in life. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ ” (John 14:6).

All our lives, God continuously seeks us, loves us. Just as He did with Jacob, He calls us by name! But now, this is what the LORD says– he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Is. 43:1).

No matter who has abused you; nor how broken, lost, and abandoned you feel right now; the silver lining is that God is here. He loves you. He will vindicate you, and calls you by your name. Look up, reach out, and feel the safety of His ever loving arms. “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them’ ” (Dt. 30:27)!

Birds are beautiful. They make me feel the presence of God. Perhaps that’s why they are mentioned so many times in the Bible. If you love birds as much as I do, I hope you’ll enjoy reading some of my other posts related to BIRDS. Dear friends, you can fly FREE when you invite Jesus into your life. Let him pick you up!