Lessons from a quail

Some years ago, while working at our warehouse, Rick called me on the intercom and said there was a mother quail with chicks out back.  I came running.  We watched them from the delivery doorway.  We enjoyed watching the quail pecking for seeds and bugs among the grass behind our building.  The chicks scurried around their mother like little puffs of tan cotton, unaware of us -- or danger lurking close by.  Rick spotted a cat crouched and sneaking toward them. Rick was about to grab an airplane gear to heave at the predator when we both heard a high pitched chirrup from somewhere above us.  The mother quail immediately spread her wings, the chicks fled beneath and she flattened to the ground. Motionless, protecting her babies with her body, perfectly camouflaged in the grass, we stared amazed.  Then, out of nowhere, the father quail appeared.  He had been perched on the edge of the roof next door.  Down he came, right at that cat.  Bam!  Startled, the cat jumped back.  Again, the male defended his family.  Frightened, the cat took off. 

We had just witnessed a living example of what God our Father is like.  He watches from a high place.  He sees everything going on around us.  He gives us warning when danger approaches.   When we hear that warning, we need to act quickly in obedience.  God is our shelter (like the mother quail spreading her wings over her chicks).  He knows how to fight the battle to protect us (like the father quail) from the evil one (the cat).  He loves us with an ever-lasting love, and is worthy of our complete trust.

Deuteronomy 1:30-31; Psalm 17:8