Always Learning, Always Marveling
Everything stops: the chores fade; the stress of the afternoon dissolves; my mind zeros-in. What’s this? Who is she? How did she arrive here? I learn she’s a Spotted Tussock Moth, also named the Yellow-Spotted Tiger Moth. Now I know she exists in the world, and it’s a marvelous day.
Growing from Seed
Now that our journey with the robins has ended, we still have joyful growth to observe with our plants we started from seed. It’s a simple, joyful thing.
And It Happens!
The Baby Robins have left the nest! What a journey it’s been.
They Jump and Then Learn
I continue to learn so much from my baby robins. I thought they would fledge on Wednesday, but I think I miscalculated. They still stay tucked in the nest, warm and well-fed. I glance at the nest every hour to see if the robins have hopped to the ground. Yes, they jump out; they do […]
My Two Favorite Pieces of Parenting Advice
Now that I’m older, I often find myself in conversations with young mothers who ask for parenting advice. I go back into past and remember two key comments that changed everything about my parenting. First, wise older parents said, “Don’t teach your children to obey. Teach your children to love to obey.” We talked about […]
Overshadowed
I love that God overshadows. He envelops. He takes over a soul, an environment, a circumstance. He’s the overshadowing presence over Mary; He’s the voice from the overshadowing cloud speaking over Jesus; He’s the overshadowing glory on the mountaintop; He’s the One who enabled Peter to overshadow others and heal them. He overshadows. In His presence, […]
Stillness and Listening
This morning, I learned from an Italian Mama about stillness and listening, especially in those sacred hours of late evening and early morning. We don’t stop and listen to God. We don’t stay still long enough. Last night, I saw a hummingbird eat at the feeder and then fly upwards to perch on a branch […]
At Some Point, You’re Ready
Today I notice the way the baby robins claw and clamor over one another. It’s nearly time. The nest is too small for their spirit, for their soaring, for their size. Maybe you can relate. At some point, it’s time. Where you are isn’t quite enough. Maybe the people around you stifle you. Maybe you […]
The Numbers of These Days
I live my summer Pennsylvania life in certain numbers: The baby robins take 13 days to fledge. They will leave the nest, therefore, in 3 days. They will train in the garden for 3 weeks with their parents nearby to teach proper feeding, flying, and general Robin living. I will replace the hummingbird feeder nectar […]
A Spiritual Lesson from Sleeping Baby Robins
I notice something so odd. The baby robins sleep with their mouths open. It’s funny; their beaks hang out of the nest, open to the wind, as they close their eyes in rest. I watch their soft feathers move up and down in the rhythms of sleep. It’s so peaceful and cozy. It’s so restful. […]