Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you …Isa. 41:10 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth …Isa.43:19 God will enter into your night, as the ray of the sun enters into the dark, hard earth, driven right down to the roots of the tree, and there, unseen, unknown, unfelt in the darkness, filling the tree with life, a sap of fire will suddenly break out, high above that darkness, into living leaf...

This nest is rather messy and crowded. It looks chaotic, not welcoming. There doesn't seem to be room for anything but dead twigs and junk; certainly not eggs or baby birds. The sparrow will need to get rid of some unneeded junk, hollow out a space and soften it to welcome new life. The contents of our nests could be sickness, struggles, tensions, woundedness, pain, sorrow and sadness. It could be busyness and distractions in our everyday lives. It is in the midst of our ordinary...

Make your home in me, as I make mine in you. Jn 15: 1-7  Jesus proclaims that God loved us long before we could ever begin to love one another. This love is total. It is full and unconditional. “I love you with all my divine heart. I embrace you with all that I have. I send you my inmost self. I want you to breathe my breath. I want you to live in the endless embrace of my love. Here you can find your home. I have made my home in you. You can make your home in me ". ~Henri Nouwen...