I’m not a bird person.
We never had a pet bird. Actually, we never had a pet at all. Cue sad sigh.. I never went bird-watching. I can’t tell the difference between birds unless you’re asking me which one is a vulture compared to a bluejay.
I’m pretty confident I could get that one right.
But birds in general? I just don’t really care that much.
I pause to admire them and gasp when I see an eagle soaring, but most of the time they’re just those black things that sit on the wires of intersections.
All that changed last year when God used a lot of little birds to teach me a big lesson.
It was half-way through my Freshman year of college, and I was so ready to go home. When you go to school 12 hours from home, you inevitably don’t get to see your family very often. However, because I was so far from home, I took full advantage of every opportunity to meet people and get involved.
Strangers became my school family, and I fell in love with the city of Birmingham. So even though I was anxious to see my family, I was struggling with the idea of leaving this city and these people for six weeks.
I hadn’t even crossed the state line before I was ready to turn around and go back.
What if things had changed back home? What if they hadn’t changed… and I had? What if my high school friends had moved on?
As the radio played and I continued the 12 hour drive by myself, I started to pour out my worries to the One Who always listens. I pretended he was sitting in the passenger seat, and I told Him how much I needed a reminder that, yes, it really will all be okay.
I glanced out the window and saw a bird flying by. I didn’t think anything of it until I saw ten more pass my car window. Somewhere deep inside I heard a whisper from the only One who could know how unsure and lonely I felt.
Daughter, I love you this much. As far as these birds go, my love goes on even further for you.
To my complete surprise, hundreds of birds came out of nowhere and continued in a V formation in front of my window. I learned forward, trying to see the end of the birds.
I couldn’t.
For miles, I drove and the birds kept coming.
His love goes on and on and on.
There is no end to how much He cares for me.
There is no end to how much He cares for you.
Packing up for college, entering your sophomore year of high school, or in the middle of a sticky situation with a loved one — He’s there. You aren’t alone.
Look out the window and laugh as you realize: the birds are flying by.
Daughter, I love you this much. As far as these birds go, my love for you goes on even farther.
TEENS & 20s
Do you ever feel alone? What’s one thing God has done this week to remind you how much He cares?
MOMS
What signs of loneliness do you see in your tween, teen, or 20something? What practical way can you reach out to her/him?
MENTORS
How about using the Moving Out from Overlooked resource with your mentor girls to help them through their seasons of loneliness?
Photo source: here
I love how God uses simple things to remind us of His profound love for us! Beautiful!
It was such a simple thing…but I see huge amounts of black birds flying through the sky together – often, now. And every time I remember this moment. 🙂
Great post, Kaitlyn! So glad I came over and kept reading today. Since I have moved back home with my parents, I sometimes do feel alone. Which is crazy right? I’m with my parents. But, when it comes to friends here at home, I’m at a loss really. My friends are spread throughout the state (and the country). But, these past couple of weeks, God has graciously placed a friend of mine closer to home. She and I have hung out in the past, but throughout college we were separated. Thankfully, we have been able to hang out some and she is one of the greatest friends and encouragers I know. It’s wonderful how God provides, just when we need it. 🙂
Thanks for hopping over! You are awesome. For real. I’m so glad God has placed someone close to home for you…He’s always got the next step prepared.
Sometimes I feel alone in my role as a mother of two and wife of one at ripe old age of 23. Most of my friends are just getting on their careers and going after the rest of their lives with gusto. They are still waiting, yes,for what I have– for husband, home and babies — but at this time they are gone off in the world and have little left in common with me. Time, talk and communion are limited and the walls between our experiences are more palpable than you could imagine. I keep wishing to find a mom or two who are my age (and not ten years older!) and who want to spend the time and effort it takes to form a close, supportive and mature relationship. I want discussion, I want to share truth, I want to talk about our kids, our dreams, our lives, and much more besides our kids.
My dream is for friends and communion. Time and opinions shared together. Fewer walls between the generations and the occupations.
God gave me precious encouragement from Isaiah 43 this week. My walk with Him gains more importance as my walk with friends falls more out of sync.
Isaiah 43:1,4 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
“Since you are precious in My sight,
Since you are honored and I love you,
I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.”
Erika, thank you for sharing your heart with us. I ache for you and the lonely season you’re in, even as you fulfill His wonderful plan for your life to serve as momma and wife. Do not despair, sweet sister. God can give you rich friendships even if they “don’t look” like how you think they ought to be. God had to get me to a place of seeing my life reshaped by His plans in order to enjoy the unexpected relationships. And yet I know you’re ache. I will pray, Erika!
Hi Erica, thanks so much for sharing all this with me! I appreciate it. You’re right, you’re definitely in a particular season and it always helps so much to have people in the same season to sit on the bench with you – they “get” where you are. I will definitely be thinking of you and praying for community. There are a few groups I know of that may be able to “get” this season…would love to talk to you more about it, feel free to email me! Something God taught me last week is that even when we feel alone, He is our constant company. I hope you have a great week!