Julie Lavender

GUEST BLOGGER

My guest today was an online friend first, and then I had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn Nutter at the wonderful Enrich Conference in the fall of 2018 in the Atlanta area. The conference and Marilyn and all my other new friends I met that weekend were such a delight! The conference happens again this fall with a date being finalized soon. 


Marilyn's writing is rich with simplicity yet ripe with depth and understanding of God's goodness and faithfulness in the ordinary, as well as the not-so-ordinary. Read her words below, that make a wonderful addition today to my nature blog, and then check out her other posts at www.marilynnutter.com. You'll be so glad you did! 

A Bird’s Nest and the Rest

by Marilyn Nutter

I stepped onto my front porch greeted by several strands of pine straw on my steps. I assumed wind had blown the mess to my property from my neighbor’s yard. I was mistaken. Walking up my driveway after getting the mail, I noticed a bird nest on the ledge above the front door. The mystery of the pine straw was solved.

Days later, Mamma appeared. She sat on the nest motionless. Even when my daughter stood at my front door and rang the bell, Mamma didn’t move. Nothing deterred her mission. She was protecting her turf and what I assume were eggs in the nest. The bird was secure; she had built a safe place and was protecting her soon to be babies.

We build nests too. We look for security in our employment…or friends…or status…or wealth…or as part of a group...or a change of location…or…

We have perceived safety. Any one of those can change in an instant. We lose a job, a friend betrays us or moves away, our position evaporates, an unexpected expense changes our wealth, or we found the grass wasn’t greener when we moved to another town.

The bird in the nest was remarkably still. At various times during the day, I’d look up to check on Mamma. (I named her Lucy, and yes, spoke "good morning" to her each day.) Regardless of when I caught a glimpse of her, she remained statuesque. She was still and secure in her place.

In scripture, the Psalmist reminds us to be still. (Psalm 46:10). But the rest of the verse is important. AND know that I am God.

            

Unlike the bird who sits motionless, we often move, but we can be still at the same time because of the extraordinary treasures in the words of truth that follow “and.”

We can remain still, whether we rest or move; we can have confidence, security, peace, and safety because He is God.

Where are you today? How are you managing resting, restlessness, or moving? Do you know the significance of AND?

Consider clicking on this link https://dailyverses.net/safety and see why “and” can be yours.

Bio: Marilyn Nutter, of Greer, SC is a contributor to magazines, on-line sites, and compilations. She is a Bible teacher and speaker for women’s groups and grief support and serves on the women’s ministry team at her church. In her life’s seasons, she has met God’s faithfulness and clings to Lamentations 3:22-23. Visit www.marilynnutter.com to find extraordinary treasures in ordinary and challenging days and where you can sign up to receive her blog.