A Lesson in Loss

Nest by artist J. Matt Miller (original oil that we purchased)

“A nest is a cup of space, a swinging cradle, an anchored platform, a wedge between boulders, a pocket in bark or dirt, a scrape on rock, a dent in sand. It represents the still point in a bird’s fast-paced life, the place where past and future meet. The nest is the place where the wing beat of the hummingbird – vibrating at twenty to eighty times per second – is quieted; where the California Condor’s soaring flight to 15,000 feet is brought down to earth. It’s where the Red-tail Hawk’s shrill whistle falls silent, its thick talons folding softly over white eggs." Nests: a foreword by Gretel Ehrlich for The Nest: and Artist’s Sketchbook, MaryJo Koch, N.Y:Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1999

 I came upon it while weeding the potager. We had been away for ten days, just enough time for the birds to scope out a perfect, undisturbed place to build their  nest and lay their eggs. Then we came back and I decided to clear out the potager of weeds. It was so hidden that I could not see it until a pulled weed revealed three beautiful eggs.  These eggs were laid by birds who flew long distances back to our garden, found a mate, built a nest and spent time laying and sitting on them.  After I took away their protective grasses, they abandoned the nest and eggs. I couldn't sleep. The eggs in the bird nest disturbed me. By my actions four birds were not brought into this world and the white crowned sparrow's hard work was in vain.

Then I heard the Lord say,"Why are you so upset with bird's eggs that you exposed to harm? The loss of three eggs, how much more important is the loss of a child."  Forgive me Lord. The family on the island who lost their son are grieving beyond our imagination, and we have not reached out. We had them over to dinner. Perhaps in your timing and your plan so we could be tender to them and have your spirit in us, not our own ways, when speaking, listening to, and praying for them. Lord fill, immeasurably more than a cup, the empty space in their lives and hearts to overflowing with your comfort and love.

How much more than we ever know the lives of others we affect by our actions or inaction.

“Peace be to the GOD and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4