Killdeer

I have really enjoyed watching the killdeer in our church parking lot this year.  They build a nest on the ground by moving rocks enough to create a bowl shaped nest.  The eggs are perfectly camouflaged and very difficult to see.  The parents will do anything they can do to keep you away from the eggs.  They will act injured to make themselves look like easy prey.  They will come right at you and try and make you forget they are a bird.  So I had been watching the four eggs.  Watching and waiting.  Everyday I came to work I would go check on the progress.  Then I was gone to Chicago on a missions trip and I just knew I would miss the eggs hatching.  But when I returned the eggs were still there.  Then on Monday of last week I went out to look and there they were 4 feathered little birds.  They didn't even move.  The most amazing thing was that Tuesday I went out and there was only one little bird in the nest.  I assumed the worst had happened and then from under the church van came three little killdeer birds running along the ground.  Wednesday, I noticed all four birds running next to their protective parents.  I was simply amazed at how fast the birds had gone from in egg to running at high speed.

I thought about my own spiritual journey.  How some segments of my life seemed to be slow and growth seemed to be hidden.  I often asked God if I would ever get out of this and move forward.  God was patient with me and continued to remind me, "My grace is enough!"  Other times I have felt like things were going so well and I was growing rapidly and I just couldn't wait to learn more and grow more.  Growing felt so natural and easy.  Wherever we are in the growing in faith process, may we always remember to keep moving forward!  We must grow!

2 Peter 3:18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.