The Bossy Wren

Incessant chirping signaled the urgent need for food. The infant bobble-head birds were crying for Mrs. Wren’s beak-to-beak deposits. They were desperate.

Mother Bird was perfectly willing and able to provide for her babies. She flew with winged efficiency from the nearest “supermarket” to her nest inside her  birdhouse. (Ahem . . . OUR birdhouse) The only hindrance was me! I was sitting at the deck table, minding my own business, when she started fussing at me. (Warning: I like to put words in the mouths, I mean beaks, of our feathered friends.)

“Get off of this deck and go back inside where you belong,” she yelled. “You are an imminent threat to my babies and I won’t have it! Move this instant from my property!”

Well, I never! I turned my back hoping that this bossy little diva would think of me as less threatening. She quickly darted to the worm “aisle,” retrieved a juicy bit of meat, and perched even closer to me. Now, because her mouth was full of medium rare worm burger, I anticipated a silent stare. But I received much more than that. She cocked her tiny head and proceeded to chortle choice words in my direction. “I’m warning you, you big human intruder. For the last time, get off of MY deck! I’m trying to feed babies here.”

I reluctantly left my outdoor sanctuary and headed inside. The tiny “David” had conquered “Goliath.” She won. After all, she had babies to feed.

In addition to creating amusement, that feisty little wren illustrated a biblical truth, that of provision. With instinct and skill, the mother bird provided sustenance for her wide-mouthed fledglings. She knew their precise need and how to meet it. The only requirement on their part was to display hunger by “asking” for food and staying in a position to receive it.

The wren family interactions remind me of how God promises to meet our needs. Our heavenly Father knows what we require and longs to provide for us. In fact, one of His names is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. Not that His responses always come in the time and manner we prefer, but we can trust Him. Isn’t that an encouraging thought? Our responsibility is to talk to Him in prayer, remain in a posture of faith, and read and obey His Word.

Do you know someone who needs to focus on God’s promises? Perhaps you could share a Bible verse in a card or speak an encouraging word to that person this week. Let’s tuck God’s promises into our heart and be prepared to share them. Like the industrious wren, we can use our God-given gifts for the benefit of someone else.

Please share below a time when you were reminded of God’s provision or when someone met a need for you. Thanks for reading.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:19 ESV

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