Spring has sprung…the grass is riz… I’m sure there are many of you who can complete that little saying! I grew up hearing those words several times each spring and…I’m sure I’ve said it a time or two myself over the past 40+ years of my adult life. Spring is such a great time of year, the flowers, the grass turning green, the trees budding and leafing out, the geese flying north, the temperatures warming up, baby bunnies, etc. We all like these signs of new life in our midst. This year we get a fun view of spring’s new life because a robin has built a nest in the tree in our front yard. The nest isn’t high up in the tree, it’s rather low so we can see the nest and the momma sitting on the nest.
So, today (Thursday) it was time to mow the lawn. I started mowing the front yard and I noticed that momma robin stayed on her nest the whole time…but she kept a pretty careful eye on me. When I got close to the nest, I totally ignored her and the nest, I didn’t stop to look and just kept on doing my thing, walking back and forth across the lawn pushing a noisy machine. When I got to the other side of the tree, I noticed that momma robin even turned around on the nest so she could keep a careful watch on me. I wonder how anxious that momma was when I kept getting closer and closer to her nest, yet she stayed in place protecting those eggs…caring for her young.
That made me think of some other caring, protective, and loving moms. On Ground Hogs Day in February two babies were born. One here in the Mitchell community and another in Lincoln, Nebraska. Both babies developed digestive issues and the doctors decided it was connected to the mother’s diet impacting the infant through breast milk. So, what did both of these mothers do? They both cut out dairy and soy, at the doctor’s recommendation.
Now, you might think this sounds like no big deal. Let me tell you, it is huge. Yes, it might be easier now than it was a generation or two ago, but if you really look into the ingredients of things we normally eat every day, it often includes dairy and soy. Why did these mothers so quickly alter their lifestyle?? Because of their love and protective care for their child.
Even in my own life, when I was an infant, I hear that I was pretty fussy. My mother took me to the doctor to figure out what was wrong. It was determined that I was allergic to dairy and lots of other foods. Mom took the time and effort to figure out what I could and couldn’t eat. Mom and dad had to regularly travel to Wessington Springs to get goats milk for me to drink. That is dedication, love, and parental commitment!
I look at my wife, Nancy, and I think of all that she sacrificed in pregnancy and also in her past and present role as a mother. There is a bond that we guys, and fathers, don’t fully understand. And yes, I learned the value of the words of a friend from many years ago, “Never get between Momma bear and her cubs.” ☺
Anyway, watching this momma robin display her instinct and strong commitment to her forth-coming young, it made me think about and give thanks for the many mothers in my life (and in the world) that have, and continue, to make such a big difference in this world. I know Mother’s Day was a week ago, so I’m a week late with this reflection. But then again, mamma robin reminded me of the firm commitment that is a daily part of being a mother. Even in the noise and chaos of the world, momma’s keep doing their thing – mothers keep on caring for, protecting, and loving their young…no matter what their age is. Thanks Mom! Thanks Nancy! Thanks Eileen! Thanks, moms, for living out your love as best you are able. You all do need a word of “thanks” more than just one day a year!
Pastor Keith