We bounced on the black surface of the trampoline, carefree and still counting our age with one hand.
Suddenly an unidentified flying object swooshed past, narrowly missing our beach blond heads. My sister and I instinctively ducked, and Whoosh! Another near miss. That time we realized it was a bird.
An angry bird.
We screeched and took cover under the taut fabric of the trampoline.
Our favorite outdoor entertainment had recently been moved into the shade of a tree in our backyard so our dad could mow the grass that had grown high under its previous position.
Little did we know, its new location was a bit too close to a nest perched in the nearby tree. A nest that apparently had newly hatched young belonging to the defensive purple martin circling overhead.
From our shaded spots on the cool grass, we looked through the dark material that served as our roof, and saw the protective mother bird swooping and scanning her unmarked territory.
Huddled together, we plotted and schemed until we mustered up enough courage to dash from our temporary shelter to the more permanent protection of our house.
“One, two, three, GO!” and we bolted across the lawn, exposed as easy targets for the vicious dive-bomber.
We made it inside without further incident, but it was a long time before we dared to go back to the trampoline.
To this day, we both still have an aversion to birds that invade our personal space bubble.
Life in general can be a lot like angry birds.
It shoots arrows like swooping purple martins, dive-bombing anything that threatens its young.
Thankfully, if we are Christians, the Lord has provided a trampoline for us to scramble under, a shelter under which we can hide and find protection.
“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.” He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.”
~ Psalm 91:1-2, 4, 9-10
Not only does God provide the temporary shelter of a trampoline in this life, but He will also shield the path home. He will carry us, guard us and keep us as we move from cowering in the grass in the shadow of His wings to the ultimate refuge of our eternal home, a mansion with firm foundations and the greatest of security.
This post is part of a series called Memoir Monday. For more Memoir Monday posts, click here.
