(Psalm 55:6-8 ESV) “6 And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; 7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah 8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.””
The Orchard Child Care children have adopted a dove that sits in a nest under the drive thru at church. They call her Mamasita!
The dove family has taken up residence there for the last 5 years. Like clockwork, when the weather begins to change from winter to spring, they construct their nest on top of the brick column in the corner. The location of the nest is perfect. It is shaded from the sun and the column provides a shield from the wind and rain.
Seemingly, the dove has nothing to worry about. Even so, the nest is located in a very busy location. It sits above the mailbox so there is a lot of activity. The mail lady drives her truck up to the box and creates chaos by opening a closing the mailbox doors. Then, the church secretary comes out and opens and closes the boxes. I usually go to the same location to retrieve my personal mail shortly after. Finally, the children come looking, and shouting their greetings to Mamasita. Safe, but far from peaceful.
This year has been a hard year for the dove family. Mamasita laid her eggs, but somehow one of the eggs rolled out of the nest and smashed onto the driveway. The second egg hatched, but the baby died shortly after. In the midst of such chaos, Mamasita sits peacefully in her nest.
When I observed her today, I couldn’t help but think of the words of the Psalmist who said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; 7 yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah 8 I would hurry to find a shelter from the raging wind and tempest.”
The Psalmist acknowledges that we will have times when we want to simply fly away and be at rest. But, Mamasita has taught me to settle in, rest, wait and know that it will be alright. I’m safe in the Father’s care.
PRAYER: Father, I will rest in your care today. I won’t run or fly away… I’ll simply wait in peace as you work your will for my life. Amen.