I was minding my own business. Just sitting on my front porch sipping my coffee.

What I thought would be a quiet, relaxing atmosphere was quickly punctured as I was auditorily accosted by two very angry wrens.

Perched high above me from opposite ends of my elevated porch roof, they were taking turns squawking at me in a manner that was clearly meant to offend me.

Having circled the sun for a while now, I knew what this ritual meant. They had a nest nearby and were making it abundantly clear that they did not appreciate my presence this close to their nursery.

They took turns serving breakfast to a nest full of needy mouths that I could hear every time Dad or Mom came in for a landing with a juicy bug.

Dad flew in, deposited part of the morning meal, and flew off again – squawking at me the whole time.

Mom followed in the same manner.

Their touch-and-go meal delivery system had been elevated to a code red because I was in the area. Their “verbal” assault on me continued for as long as I sat there.

Watching Mom and Dad Wren reminded me anew of what our call, as parents, tends to look like.

Feeding and protecting happen routinely (and sometimes simultaneously).

Our children look to us for spiritual sustenance – solid, Biblical application of how and why the Scriptures are still as relevant today as they were hundreds of years ago.

It’s our job to feed them, teach them, train them, show them how and where to find things for themselves in the Word so that they grow to be strong in faith and personally dependent on Christ, able to eventually fly on their own.

“These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6,7 CSB)

“…don’t frustrate your children…take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (Ephesians 6:4 MSG)

But, at the same time, it’s also our responsibility to protect them. Spiritually cover them in prayer, resist the enemy as we discern him afoot, and speak the Word of God in a powerful and effective manner that puts any spiritual adversary looking to harass our children on the run.

“I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil’s strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4 TLB)

“…be strengthened by the Lord…put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11 CSB)

These truths and promises apply regardless of the children God has given you to shepherd and care for – biological, adopted, foster, spiritual mentorship, or otherwise.

Whatever your parental position may be, I pray the verses above give you plenty to squawk about today!

Until next time, Grace and Glory!