The birds are aflutter with building nests, claiming territory, looking for a place to roost and feed. I love to watch them. This morning, while drinking my morning brew, a robin as large as a squash filled with eggs, hopped along the fence while its mate brought in big clumps of nesting material into the evergreen in the back yard. Juncos, finches, sparrows and hummingbirds, all calling in a new season.

   In the Pacific Northwest springtime weather brings wild fluctuations. It can be stormy and hailing one minute and sparkling sunshine with rainbows the next. I feel like that on the inside; stormy filled with angst and wondering what am I going to do, and then grateful, appreciating the beauty and kindness of God and others. 

   I find myself coming back to the theme of birds, eggs, nest that for me symbolize a number of things: new life, flight, home, hope, birth etc. 

This triptych painting is one of the most meaningful to me. It has a back story that encourages me to this day and reminds me of God's tender care for us. 

Valerie Sjodin copyright 2010

Citrasolv transfer & Watermixable Oils

Psalm 84:3 NLT

"Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow builds her nest and

raises her young at a place near your altar,

O LORD of Heaven's Armies,

my King and my God!"