Pesky Perseverance
I see what you’ve done, your hard work, your refusal to quit. Revelation 2:2 (MSG)
Yes, barn swallows are beautiful birds! But as a child, I most remember how they took over the garage every spring. When I would go in to get my bicycle or meat from the freezer, they dive-bombed me. Somehow, my grandfather had made friends with them as he worked tirelessly on tying flies at his work bench. Maureen Miller (All God’s Creatures) learned a lesson about perseverance, and I think it is a good one.
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They were building under the cover of darkness. How else could it be? We’d gone to bed only to awaken the next day to discover their abode above the hot tub once again. Hadn’t we done everything in our power to deter them, even knocking down their hard-earned work from the year prior upon the barn swallow’s return?
“Not this year,” my kind husband said, sweeping away the remains of their nest. “They’re so messy. Why don’t they build in our barn?”
Unwavering, the swallows swooped, making me dodge, the territorial creatures were clearly annoyed with my inquiry.
Holding my ground, I considered my next move. I wedged a shoe in the cranny where they’d insisted on constructing their stucco sanctuary. But their plan would not be thwarted. The birds simply built around the sneaker, In retaliation, I flipped on the outside ceiling fans on the porch, hoping that would discourage their efforts. Imagine my surprise when we woke to find the nest almost complete.
Alas, they’ve succeeded and have taken up residence in their new home above the hot tub. They’ll make a mess, and I’ll grumble, then I’ll devise a new strategy for the next spring when the couple returns. Until then, the lesson of the tenacious barn swallows? Perseverance pays off.
I can almost see our Creator smiling, having witnessed our struggle from heaven’s perch. Perhaps He’s whispering, Good and faithful swallows, I’ve seen your hard work. Now, enter your rest.
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. —Robert Collier
Loving Lord, thank You for the life lessons learned from Your creatures. We ask that You fill us with perseverance, just like the barn swallows, that we would not give up on this earthly journey. We want to hear You say, “I’ve seen your hard work. Now enter your rest. AMEN.