The Parents’ Job |

Yesterday, I was sitting at the desk in our school room, when I saw two Mockingbirds fluttering up and down rapidly outside the window. I didn’t pay much attention at first, because we see Mockingbirds all the time here. We even saw some babies that had taken the first steps out of the nest! But, when they wouldn’t stop fluttering, I got up to take a look. That’s when I saw it – the BIG, black snake! The Mommy and Daddy birds were trying to move the snake away from their precious nest and sweet baby birds. They did this by holding their wings out (which would be rather intimidating to something on the ground) and pecking at it. I watched the snake slither away from our house (eek! Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Mockingbird!), and out to the road. I called my husband, who was working at the church, to see if he wanted to have a look. He did! I was able to get a short video of the “dance” that Momma Mockingbird (or maybe this is the dad?) was doing to protect her (his?) family.

Watching these birds instinctively protect their family reminded me that, as a Mother, that is also my job. The Mockingbirds saw the snake, and ridding their “home” of it became the top priority. They didn’t wait around. When the devil wants a foot in my door, I don’t want to waste time. I want to get rid of him! Also, the birds worked together – Mom and Dad – to get rid of the enemy. That’s a picture of what my home should be like, also. I must follow my husband as he leads us in the ways of the Lord. When there’s an enemy to protect our children from, I need to help him get rid of it.
The world certainly isn’t getting any better. Parents today have their hands full when it comes to guiding and guarding their children. There are plenty of “snakes” in the world from which we must protect our young ones. With the help of my heavenly Father and the leadership of my husband, the job can be done. It takes work and vigilance, and sometimes, I don’t feel like I’m up to the task. It’s during those times that I have to refuel through Bible reading and prayer.

My husband got a close up of the snake that the Mockingbirds were chasing away.