Making a House a Home

Earlier this week, while enjoying sunshine through the bedroom window, I noticed a pair of Oregon Juncos flitting through the branches of the Bartlett pear tree, examining a birdhouse hanging there. Though my husband hung the nest almost a decade before, I didn’t remember any birds ever using it.

But here these two were, scouting out the neighborhood like a couple of home shoppers.  One of them—in my mind the female—hopped on the roof of the house, poked her black head in the front door, and after a quick look over her tail feathers, ventured inside. Her companion waited on the branch while she completed her inspection,  tapping his little bird feet as his mate considered this site for their new home.

I couldn’t help but laugh at their behavior. One bird waiting patiently, as I’ve seen husbands do all too often, as the other bird decides if this will be the place she can be happy.

I could imagine their twitters.

“Honey, this nest has a larger living space, but I do wish the front door faced south.”

To which the other bird replied, “This is the seventh nest we’ve looked at today. Can’t you make up your mind?”

And she answered, “Raising our family requires a good home and I intend to find it.”

The wind rose and the house swayed in the breeze. The two birds, apparently startled by the movement, escaped to higher branches before flying to another part of the yard.

Birds aren’t the only ones particular about their surroundings. People are admonished in God’s word to proceed with steadfast earnestness.

In Colossians 3:23 we are told: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

When beginning a project, Luke 14:28-30 says, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—”

The birds haven’t returned to the little house in the pear tree, but spring isn’t here. Maybe they are still doing the neighborhood tour before they settle down and start their family.  Who knows?  If they return, they might even pay rent!