Home Construction

Spring introduces a time of industrious home construction for the male weaverbird. The perfect spot is located. Close to a water source (birdbath) and close to food (bird-feeder). While he gathers and weaves pliable and shredded leaves, he sings hoping to draw females to observe and approve the positioning and building of the project.

It may take a couple of days, but his diligent pursuit of a home does not cease. Finally, the home is complete, and to those of us – humans – who look up in amazement at the finished project we see perfection. We have heard his song, and watched the mission from beginning to end. We have anticipated the completion, and now it is done. We approve. But, our approval is not what is needed. Our approval carries no weight. It is the approval of a female weaverbird that he works for, that he yearns for. Should they not respond and approve the ‘home’ – he tears it down. He moves to another location, and he begins again. This process is repeated until a female approves the home. His faithfulness to build, and to sing with each ‘home’ he constructs is amazing. All of this he does with expectant hope of approval, and acceptance.

Watching the weaverbirds labor serves as a good lesson for us. If we put as much hard work into building (relational, spiritual) our homes, and we maintained a joyous attitude when our efforts were rejected and not appreciated, how different our home life would be. How different we would be!

#home #weaverbird