It never fails; the barn swallows build a nest on our front porch light every spring. I try to remember to stop them because they make such a mess. But, they are fast! They can have that nest built and lay those eggs in no time! Then of course, I don’t have the heart to tear it down.

It is interesting that we can sit on the porch and the mother and father birds pay no attention to us. They even pay very little mind to the dogs. But, let the cats show up and commotion begins! There is no way that the cats could scale that wall and get to their nest, but they don’t know that.

I watched the birds for some time one day after Squeaker, the cat, arrived. The father bird began to fly back and forth working very hard to lure the cat off the porch. The mother bird even left the nest to help him. They worked as a team and both flew dangerously close to the cat in hopes of getting her to follow them away from their nest.

It came to mind that is how families work. The parents work very hard together to protect and provide for their babies, even to the point of putting their own health and welfare at risk. Interesting to observe that same commitment in nature, which is all part of God’s plan and design.

Deuteronomy 32:11(KJV) As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV) But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.