God’s Never-Empty Nest

Bible Reading: Psalm 23

Paige looked at the bird’s nest her dad had found on the ground in the backyard. “What kind of bird made it?” she asked.

“Looks to me like a robin’s nest,” Dad replied. “It’s empty now, but I bet it once held a family of chirping baby robins.”

“Cool!” said Paige. “Can I have it?”

Dad nodded, and Mom came over to examine the nest more closely. “What are you thinking about?” Dad asked when he saw Mom looking at the nest thoughtfully. “Do you want a robin’s nest too?”

“No,” Mom said. “I was just thinking about you and Paige and the twins and the lovely nest God has provided for us.”

“Nest?” Paige asked in surprise. “What nest?”

“Our home is like a nest—a nest for a family of people,” Mom explained. “Just like the baby robins, you and your brothers will leave our nest, Paige. Before we know it, you’ll go off and start your own lives.”

“Not right away, I hope,” said Dad, giving Paige a hug.

“No.” Mom laughed. “But growing up and leaving home is all part of God’s plan for children.” She smiled at Paige. “When you kids leave, we’ll miss you.”

Paige looked at the nest again. “I’ll miss you too. It sounds kind of exciting to go off on my own, but I’m glad I won’t be leaving for a while. I still need you to take care of me.”

“And even when you do leave, you won’t be on your own,” said Dad. “Since you trust in Jesus, you won’t ever leave God’s nest. He gave His life so you could be part of His family, and He will always be with you and take care of you. In the Bible God gives this us this promise—’I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.’”

“That’s a good verse for all of us to remember,” said Mom. “God is with you kids and will watch over you while you’re here in our family’s nest and also when the time comes for you to leave it. And He’s with Dad and me and will watch over us too. All of us are in His nest, where He will take good care of us.” • Jorlyn A. Grasser

How About You?

Do you wonder if you’ll ever be able to get along without your parents? Most people look forward to being on their own, but it can be kind of scary too. But if you trust in Jesus, you will always be in His nest. He will watch over you when you leave your family’s nest and start your own life. No matter where you go, He will be with you and take care of you.

Today’s Key Verse:
Genesis 28:15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

God’s care for you never ends