Nurture ~ The Art of Tender Care

I was thinking of the word "nurture" today. Here is the definition:

Nurture: 1. take care of a young thing - to give tender care and protection to a young child, plant, or animal helping it grow and develop.

2. encourage somebody or something to flourish - to encourage somebody or something to grow, develop, thrive, and be successful.

3. keep feeling - to keep a feeling in the mind for a long time, allowing it to grow or deepen.

I saw a beautiful little bird's nest with baby birds in it on facebook today. It seems that each year the same birds start a nest in the same crook of the tree. In my mind's eye I saw the little mother fussing over the eggs, then fussing over the little birdies, and finally loving them enough (or doing what comes "nature-ally") to kick them out of the nest. I could see those little scrawny necks stretching to the limit for a bit of worm or nourishment. Then little wings stretching out for the first time, sometimes interferring with brother or sister nest mates stretching. Then a tentative hop to the rim of the nest for a peek at the wide world, with a quick jump back to the center in fear of that same wide world. Then a gentle nudge, and oops here we are, airborne hoping we can make it back to the safety of the nest. But wait, something kicks in and we boldly stretch our wings and it happens. We begin to soar, higher and higher, with that giddy feeling of freedom.

As you can see I changed from third person to first person in my narrative. It became so personal to me. I wonder if it's personal for you? Like me, do you desire to soar, to be free, to reinvent, renew, thrive? Well, I firmly believe it's possible. Like the old saying goes: God isn't finished with us yet!

Do you desire to write? Pick up that pen. Paint: swing that brush. Sell china: dust off the cup and saucer! You have a reason for being, don't let fear hold you back. Fear of success is just as big as fear of failure. I'll believe in you, and you believe in me. Let's soar with no fear of flying at all!

Here are pictures of some Hammersley bird china demitasse that inspire me. I hope you like them too.

And last but certainly not least a couple of quotes to keep in mind

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams

H. David Thoreau

God gives every bird his worm, but does not throw it in the nest

P.D. James

        And please remember as you nurture someone else you are touching      God's heart.

       " For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and     do minister." Hebrews 6:10

These are all  African birds from a series by Rowland Ward, Nairobi Kenya, for Hammersley China

Blessings, Theresa