Our house is nestled in a small patch of woods and those first few days we were overrun with wildlife on whose habitat we were trespassing: snakes, tree frogs, lizards, deer, turkey, an owl or two and some coyote. Through the years, most of these animals have yielded the ground to us with the exception of the family or families that visit our chimney each year.
They are chimney sweeps. When we first discovered what they were we considered trying to get rid of them or at least to cover the chimney in such a way as to discourage their nesting; but as I read a little more about them, we decided to let them stay.
These fellows migrate in from South America each year (if memory serves) and they consume thousands of mosquitoes. Sure enough, we have relatively few mosquitoes and yet our nearby neighbors seem to have an abundance.
So here's the deal: each year from April til about September, we give them use of our chimney. We put up with their chirping (actually have grown to like it to some extent) and in exchange we have fewer mosquito bites.
They come back every year - this year and last year (the only two that I have recorded) they came back during the same week.
Imagine, these amazing animals -designed specifically by their Creator to cling to walls - travel thousands of miles to stay at our house and consume our mosquitoes.
It makes us feel special.
Now on the front side of our house is a porch with pillars and in this area we have another relentless avian visitor. Each year, she - or one of her descendants - returns to nest on our front porch.
Now initially, we thought she was a purple Martin but have since abandoned that conclusion - we don't know what she is - except for "stubborn"!
R. has more of a problem with her than I do. On her first visit, I wanted to encourage her - I thought it would be neat for the children to have the opportunity to watch the baby birds grow.
Well, as I recall - she had problems that first year - I don't think she ever hatched any eggs. It is possible that she left eggs in the nest at the end of the season. But she did build a nest - at least one, and its construction was heavy with mud. I remember because the red clay drained down our white columns as we tried to clean up after her.
Since that time she has come back. Sometimes we have taken her nest down only to have her return and build again.
Steadfast in her determination.
Take this year for instance. Early in the Spring, we began to notice her lurking about. Soon there was a very neat nest constructed on top of one of the columns. If it is the same bird, she has honed her craft quite nicely.
Not long after, we began to notice her staying in the nest and soon there were three tiny upended beaks... they grew quickly into three "Baby-Huey's" barely contained by the quaint little nest.
And they left their mark! This is the reason R. does not welcome the front porch dwellers. All over the porch near the nest there were bird droppings.
This year we got some new furniture for the front porch, we like to sit out there occasionally in the early mornings and late evenings. As we were setting the pieces in place, we kept glancing warily at the three whoppers in that nest - they were equally wary of us. Finally, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail (names which I just came up with) all decided it was time to leave the nest - the last one flying -dive-bomber style- directly toward R. successfully forcing her off the side of the porch where she nearly landed in the rose bushes below. I watched and laughed - from a good distance away- having nonchalantly fled the scene when Flopsy first tried his wings!
We checked often that night and the family never returned. So the next afternoon, I removed the nest and cleaned up the droppings. We, then began to enjoy our new furnishings.
And for awhile, all was well on the porch. But she came back. That little mom just couldn't refrain from her orders to replenish the earth!
Undaunted by the discovery of her missing nest, she set in to rebuilding.
Not being as industrious or nearly as energetic as this flying-flower-of-fertility, I did not get the new nest removed before she was once again sitting for long periods of time.
Now I am forced to formulate a plan as to how to keep "Family Number Two" from soiling our new furniture.
Man against nature.
But I have to admit that I am pretty impressed with this little lady.
She never gives up.
She never plays the victim.
She never chooses another porch.
You have to admire that loyalty.
And to top it off, I have never seen a man around- apparently "daddy" is a Dead-beat-bird. But never does she complain - she's too busy fulfilling her life's mission.
I could learn something here. I just know there is a lesson in this!
Psalm 102:7-8 NLT I lie awake, lonely as a solitary bird on the roof. My enemies taunt me day after day. They mock and curse me.
Matthew 10:29 NLT What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
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