The Tale of the Storm Thrush (or, How to Rebuild a Ruined Nest)

Afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and I will lay your foundations with sapphires. Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies, and your gates of crystal, and your entire wall of precious stones.

 Isaiah 54:11-12

There is a fat-bellied bird in Britain who has two names. Ornithologists call him a Mistle Thrush, but in the countryside where he is often seen, he is known as the Storm Thrush because of his tendency to sing in the midst of strong winds.

A story is told about a poet who was awakened in the night, not by the fierce storm that ravaged outside, for indeed it was enough to wake the deepest sleeper, but by a rich and piercing song carried on the gale.  

He waited for the calming of the storm and the coming of the dawn, all the while listening to this plaintive birdsong calling to him through the tumult.

As the sky glowed saffron, the poet emerged into a changed garden. Flowers lay pummeled in the soil, tree branches were strewn across the stone pathway. All was silent. The little singer in the night could not be heard.

At the foot of the tallest oak tree lay what appeared to be a jumble of trash and bits of wood. Upon closer examination, the poet realized it was a ruined Storm Thrush nest. 

Storm Thrushes are rather untidy housekeepers, not overly concerned about the appearance of their nests. What is important to the Storm Thrush is that the nest is large and well-built, concealed and lined with fine grasses for the two broods of baby thrushes who will be born there each year.

The poet stood in silent sorrow, pitying the little winged family who had lost their home in the storm. A wrecked home is tragic for human or bird. 

His brooding was interrupted by a chattering clatter up above. He looked to the branches high in the tree, only to see the thrushes busily, happily rebuilding their ruined nest!

A new morning had come, and with it new mercies, even for those whose homes had been wrecked in the storm.

Storms come in the night, and they may tear our homes apart.

The Tale of the Storm Thrush reminds us that songs can be sung in the fiercest gales, and homes can be rebuilt. #hope #home Click To Tweet

For the sun rises with new mercies every morning, and the Lord gives joy to His people for the rebuilding of what has been broken. Furthermore, He promises that what He rebuilds is precious and lasting. His covenant with us cannot be shaken, for He has sealed it with His own blood.

Rise and build today, little thrush.

For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My favor will not be removed from you, nor will My covenant of peace be shaken,” says the Lord who has compassion on you. Afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and I will lay your foundations with sapphires. Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies, and your gates of crystal, and your entire wall of precious stones. 

Isaiah 54:10-12

Lord, I will sing to you in the storm and I will rise with the morning and rebuild what has been ruined. Amen.

@audreycfrank