Godly Neighbors

As we approached our "home space" for our stay in Jackson, Ohio, I noticed a killdeer doing the injured bird distraction. Thinking there might be a nest close I cautiously looked for it in the gravel of our parking space and, sure enough....
...I found it without stepping on it!

With some guidance from me as I stood by the nest, George was able to back in without disturbing it and now we are blessed with the opportunity to observe the little family up close from our window!

The changing of the guard.

After a close encounter with a park maintenance golf cart, we did a bit of protective work of our own. I think I scared the poor guy on the cart, hurrying out the door waving my hands saying, "Stop, Stop!" But when I showed him the nest, he got off the cart and built a little rock wall to mark it. Later George got out our emergency triangle marker to add further warning.

As I've watched these two parents care for their family the last few days, I have been humbled by their devotion. When the temperature climbed to 96 degrees they were there, standing over the nest and repositioning to shield the eggs as the sun's angle changed. And then came a windblown, thundering storm and a down pouring of rain and hail. Through it all, there he/she sat, snuggled down over those eggs, drenched and unmoving! And I was reminded (thank you, Spirit) of a Scripture passage: Isaiah 25:4 says,

"For you have been a stronghold for the poor,
a stronghold to the needy in his time of distress,
a shelter from the storm

and a shade from the heat

for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,
like heat in a dry place."

Thank you, God, for the revelation of your love for your children through our killdeer neighbors.