Monday, May 5, 2014

259: A NEW BEGINNING: A LIVING PARABLE IN "REALTIME"


On the South East corner of our house, we have an aspen tree. It is a columnar aspen which can grow very tall, and very fast. It has now reached close to the height of 40 feet. A few years ago, the growth of the tree began to slow down.  We then noticed that some of the branches were beginning to die. Each year there have been more and more dead branches until finally this year, the aspen tree is completely dead.   Because aspen trees have very shallow roots they usually don't survive unless they receive plenty of water and nutrients to sustain their height and quick growth.
 
Our Columnar Aspen tree on the southeast corner of our home.
 When we first moved into our home, every year a red robin would build it's nest in this aspen tree.  We had a great view of the nest from our second story bedroom window. However, once the tree's branches began to die and without leaves to offer protection, privacy and safety,  the robin stopped building a nest. It has been almost 3- 4 years since the robins have built a nest in the tree.
 
 
 
 
A few weeks ago, I happened to look out our bedroom window and to my surprise, there was a new nest with 3 blue robin eggs in the upper branches of  our dead tree. This new nest is completely exposed to the elements and lacks the protection, shade and security that a living tree with leaves provides.  The symbolism of seeing three eggs together in one nest has had a profound personal impact on me. It has given me hope in a new beginning, a new dispensation of life, a new start despite being located in a dead tree that will need to be cut down soon.
 
 
 
 
 
Every day this week I have looked out our window to see the mother robin patiently sitting on her eggs. Through rain, high winds and storms, the mother robin remained steadfast in protecting and nurturing the eggs.  I watched in amazement and respect as the hail from a freak hailstorm pelted her with large icy hailstones. The pellets piled up all around her, yet there she stayed, immovable.



 
 
Early this Saturday morning, the robin eggs hatched. The hard egg shell finally cracked, and with their beak's, the birds pecked open the shell that once surrounded them to keep them safe. Without the shell, they are truly vulnerable, exposed and “naked”. It is a new day, a new birth, a new beginning for them. 
 

 
 
During this time of precarious situation when a predator could come and eat the baby birds, the father robin stays in the upper branches and keeps a watchful eye of protection while the mother robin finds food and brings back to feed the tiny babies.
 
 

 
 Unable to fully open their eyes and see, the baby birds listen for their mother. When they hear her, they stretch their little heads and necks and look heavenward. They open their mouth wide to be feed, completely dependent on their survival until they grow the necessary feathers to then fly. Once they have grown the necessary feathers to fly, they will then leave the nest, and be able to find the food themselves provided freely by their Creator.

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21 comments:

R. said...

Awesome!

Anonymous said...

You write with a lot of symbolism.

CA said...

That was beautiful.

imatharris said...

Thank you so much for this!

AndEva said...

Old tree needs to be chopped down, that's something that only the owner of the vineyard can do.

Jared almond said...

Thanks for the post. The symbolism/meaning was not lost on me.

Jared almond said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rob said...

27 And now I show unto you a parable. Behold, wheresoever the acarcass is, there will the eagles be bgathered together; so likewise shall mine elect be gathered from the four quarters of the earth.

Anonymous said...

Nice word search Rob

Anonymous said...

Have you ever heard of the Timber Mafia? Contact them I am sure you can set up a chop.

AndEva said...

Its also called "Correlation"

Eric said...

That's only some of the fruits that the people have chosen, but it is still the Lord's vineyard and I see Him working there still, it's wonderful to be in His vineyard working with Him.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing something positive.

Anonymous said...

It's nice that the owner is focusing on light now, even some of the people who comment here seem to have more light. You are what you focus on for sure. Focusing on what you want is the key.

James said...

Marvelous...this is a hopeful observation. Observing nature can help us tune our hearts to the subtle things of the spirit....the little things that are most important. Love how she fearlessly weathered the storm and then was covered in white for her sacrifice. Thanks for sharing things like this.

Steve said...

Agree about the wonderful symbolism. Thanks.

Jared almond said...

Anonymous may 6 2014 7:40. The scripture Rob posted applies much more than one might imagine. It might be wise for us to make it our highest and most focused effort to KNOW what it will take to be found standing by these eagles. Perhaps the Eagles have already been engaged and the time short.

Jared almond said...

Thank you, Jacob

David B said...

Great analogy -- so fitting for the times and apropos!

AndEva said...

Hey, the birdy knew when the storm was coming. Using its God given gift to discern when the clouds gathered.

Anonymous said...

Lots of rain lately