An osprey lives in our neighborhood. I watch him as he circles overhead and as he soars out over the water.

His nest is visible from my front window. This spring he (and his lady) raised a family of young ones. I observed as they practiced their flight and learned their trade from their parents.  Beautiful!

Sometimes, when I walk down to the water, I see him observing me.

Recently, though, he experienced some trauma. During the weekend of July 4^th, fireworks were prevalent in our area. My husband and I enjoyed watching the colorful displays, but the osprey – not so much.

Some of the fireworks were accompanied by a screaming noise that is not too far removed from the cry of the osprey. The sound would pierce the air, and the osprey would echo. We watched as he left the tree nearby and soared into the air. The rockets would explode, and he would cry out and circle. Was he confused? Did he think he was under attack? I am not sure, but it was evident that he was out of his comfort zone.

Finally, he flew away. I’m not sure where he spent the night, but I assumed he went to a place where he felt safe.

As I watched the osprey’s antics that evening, I did more than sympathize; I empathized. I could feel his confusion and dismay.

I hear the noises of this world, and my spirit is agitated. Voices that I should be able to trust scream a false cry. Explosions occur in the relationships around me, and my heart is confused.

Finally, I have to fly to only place that I find peace – my Father’s arms.

Many verses in the Psalms tell me that the shepherd King David must have felt the same way at times.

Psalm 55:6  And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

Psalm 94:18 When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.

Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou rest: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Disturbed by the world we live in. Seeking shelter. Running to the Father. That was David, and often that is me.

The osprey survived the night and returned to soar overhead again.

I will survive, too, because I know the place of safety, and God calls me to rest in Him.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

That is an invitation and a promise.

The invitation is open, and the promise is for anyone who will come.

Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.

Photo – Courtesy of Pexels