THE PARABLE OF THE MOCKING BIRD, A Christian Contemplation

THE PARABLE OF THE MOCKINGBIRD
Protection of the Fledglings

A Commentary by Constance Vanides

"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:18)

The "chick-chick" sound was unfamiliar to me. And when I identified it as coming from a mockingbird, I was puzzled. Its usual sounds, a repertoire of wide variety, are lovely musical notes, sung from the very top of the neighbor's chimney and on the rooftop for all to hear and be delighted!

But this was different. I wondered what caused such a harsh voice, repeated over and over again. The bird hovered around me with its "chick-chick", and again, "chick, chick." Since I had come out into the garden to pull a few weeds and generally survey the lush growth around me, it was the sound that first attracted my attention.

It was then my eyes saw in the bush two young, mostly gray birds, still and quiet. They did not show the black and white pointy tail feathers of their parent bird which identifies them as mockingbirds. Yet I could tell that's what they were. The two were sitting very, very still, somewhat covered, but not really camouflaged, against the brighter green bush. I could even spot what I imagined were little beady eyes filled with fear, looking at me as they did through the sides of their heads, wondering perhaps, who this unwelcomed creature was looking at them!

The "chick-chick" of what was obviously the parent bird, continued. There was considerable agitation on its part, jumping and flying in and around the young. When I briefly moved out of sight, one of the youngsters had left its perch and was on the ground, again very still. The "chick-chick" continued. It was then I left the scene in case the parent bird, I supposed, might have too much of an anxiety attack created by the intrusion.

The whole drama of the parent with its fledgling offspring, was a reminder to me of God's protective love toward us, His children. When we are first born of the Spirit, we need all the help we can get to stay on the path. God knows this and sends the loving, guiding voice of His Holy Spirit to warn us of dangers.

If we indeed continue to listen and obey, His protection covers us. If we choose to disobey, and return to follow the old pathways of our natural selves, and will not to listen, our choice brings a separation between God and us. He may then leave us to our own feeble attempts to try to live safely without the hope given in Jesus Christ. "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans 8:6)

The choice is yours: God's way or your way. What would you have?