There are times when I am reminded of how fragile life is.  Yesterday, the horrific events in Boston was one of those times.  I, like many, need to hear comforting Truth that God is still with us – loving, looking after, and tending to our lives.

As I stepped outside today, this new bird’s nest caught my eye.  Protected by walls on each side, this nest is tucked away from the street’s view.  It has been tenderly crafted to hold life.

This nest carries such a deep image for me that I wanted to pass it along.

God led me to see His hand is like this nest.  Holding.  Protecting.  Nurturing.  Providing.  Sheltering.  Covering.  Loving.

Then, just to prove His point even more, as I balanced on a step stool photographing this nest, out of nowhere came the mamma or daddy bird.  It was so upset I was near its nest!  It chirped, flew swift fly-by’s and clearly let me know that its presence was there.

God is in this moment to me.  His hands hold us.  His eyes watch over us.  His Presence never leaves us.

Even when we don’t see Him with our eyes – He’s there.  May we feel the warmth of His hands, look for His Presence, and rest knowing He is watching over we who are a part of this big world that He so loves.

Where is the hand of God?  It is around us sheltering us, beneath us holding us, and over us covering us.  Perhaps sometimes we can’t see it because everything we can see is viewed through the lens of His hands.  He so cares about our lives that the filter of His hands colors everything we see with His grace and mercy.

A few verses for today and every day….

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. ~ Isaiah 49:16

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,my God, in whom I trust.” ~ Psalm 91:1-2

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. ~ Psalm 139:8-10

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings… ~ Psalm 17:8

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~ Psalm 18:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; 

indeed, he who watches over (you)

will neither slumber nor sleep. ~ Psalm 121:1-4