A Mother's Love

Last week my roommate informed us all that a nest of Robins was right outside her window. I know I'm a little slow, but it took me a couple of days to realize that my window is right next to hers, which means that the nest is right outside my window as well!

It looks something like this (babies and all):


Tonight I was listening to the rain, and I suddenly thought of my little family of birds. What do birds do in a heavy rain storm? Especially, what happens to the baby birds?

As I looked out the window, I was amazed to see Mom Robin sitting right there on her nest. She had made her body as big as she could with her chest puffed up and her wings stretched out enough to make sure no water would get to her babies. I have never witnessed nature in such an intimate setting, and I couldn't help but stand there and watch for a long time. Soon, the rain let up, and I started to see little heads peeking out from under their shelter. Mom Robin, confident that the few droplets of water would no longer be a threat to her babies, flew off for a few minutes and was soon back with food.

From my vantage point I was able to observe so many details that I have never seen before. Standing there, I started reflecting on the love of my own mother and what she was willing to do in order to keep me safe from the storms of the world. My mother, along with countless mothers before and after her have held their wings out, covering us so that not one drop of the world will fall on us until we are ready. It couldn't have been comfortable or particularly easy for Mom Robin to sit on her nest, as it may not be exactly convenient for a mother to sacrifice all she does for her children. But both mothers know that what they do is crucial for survival.

Eventually, we all start peeking our heads out from under our umbrella of protection. Perhaps one or two drops find a way to us, but because we were kept safe and dry we have been able to grow strong, and we are prepared to start facing the world. We will still need help for a long time, and the outstretched wings will continue to catch the worst of the storm before it reaches us. We will continue to learn and grow in this time.

The imagery that Christ uses just before He comes to the Nephites has always intrigued me:

"...how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you...how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings...how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not...how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings..."

3 Nephi 10:4-6

I suppose I understand just a little more, after watching a Mom Robin gather her chicks under her wings, why this particular image was used. Christ, just as the Robin and just as mothers everywhere, gathers us under His wings and literally protects us from the brunt of the storm. Sometimes a few drops may get through to us, but only when the Lord feels that we are ready to face them. We may not think that we are ready, or that we can withstand them. But He knows, and He has a perfect faith in us.

Soon, my baby Robins will grow their own feathers. They will jump from their nest and try to fly. I'm sure they will build nests of their own; and when a storm comes they will be able to hold their own wings out for protection, all because their mothers did it for them in the beginning.