As I sat parked in the car the other day I noticed the bare branches ofa climbing rose curling their way over the wall in front, and surprisingly in the smallest v shape where two branches met was the beginning of a nest. I imagine when the rose was in bloom with all its foliage the bird built its nest feeling quite secure and hidden but in its wintry exposure it looked so precarious.

 

On what then do build my nest, do I secure myself with a nice house, pretty things,friends and family around me, because wonderful though that may seem in the wintry periods of my life all of that can change. As so many have found in the last two years, jobs, income, luxuries can disappear with frightening speed, and sadly friendships and loved ones will also change with time. My nest too can be precarious.

 

Jesus reminds us to build with God at the foundation, to build our lives based on his plan for us, to live our lives doing his will and to lean on his promise that he is unchanging. Such a nest will never be swept away whatever the season.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7 vs 24-25