Today’s society contains far too much brokenness. Corruption, poverty, violence, abuse – the list seems endless. Destruction of families leads to isolation, loneliness and many other problems. Inevitably, it is the most vulnerable members of our families who become the victims, and usually, it is the women in our society who bear the brunt of the burden.

I am fascinated by nests. Unique, intricate little homes executed instinctively by birds according to an invisible blueprint. The commitment of the bird couple is remarkable: sometimes the female destroys the nest, and the male bird tirelessly rebuilds the nest until his chosen mate is happy. Once the nest is acceptable, the mother and father birds diligently look after their eggs until they are hatched. Once the eggs have hatched, they both continue their care of the chicks until they are independent.

It is interesting to see how birds adapt to their environment. For example, the nest from outside the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) had bits of toilet paper and other rubbish incorporated into the structure. From the outside, it looked like a mess. Yet the inside was a cosy haven for the baby birds, who could rest secure in the knowledge that their parents would take care of every need.

I do believe that society would benefit if we lived our lives like the birds do.

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Scripture selection: Deuteronomy, Leviticus