The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.... John 10:10
The house sparrows returned two weeks ago. They went into the tree swallows' nest box, pulled out the babies, and dropped them on the ground.
The kids were crushed...and angry. The sparrows didn't even build a nest in that box. All that, JUST to destroy.
We finally killed the sparrows, but it took us two weeks. We have swallows again...in the other house where the bluebirds were before sparrows killed their babies. The bluebirds are in the front house now, also trying again.
I took this as a teaching opportunity to remind my children...and myself...that the enemy comes to steal and kill and destroy. He tempts us into wrong acts...and then throws those actions back in our face. When we, when I, choose to listen to those temptations, I am joining in the stealing, killing, and destroying. I think I am being offered something in return for my sin, but satan offers me nothing. He wants to destroy me.
Sounds terribly depressing, doesn't it?
Well, guess what?? My God has a plan for my life that does not involve destruction. My God loves me and guides me in the way that's best. Even if I have fallen into the temptations offered, my God restores me, loves me, forgives me!! Nothing can separate me from the love of God!!
