She’s a tough mama and won’t let anything keep her from building her nest. It’s building season, and the Boat-tailed Grackle I wrote about the other day (link in the comments) has been hard at work. Watching her craft her nest has been fascinating. Who needs entertainment when it’s nest-building season?
Persistence
She is persistent, and I admire her tenacity. She is committed to building that nest no matter the obstacle, and knows what she needs to do; giving up is not an option. I wonder if she faces discouragement or frustration with the delays in building the nest. Day after day, she collects, weaves, builds, and fights off other winged creatures wanting her nesting materials. Regardless, she keeps at it.
Pivoting
Seasons of building take on all sorts of shapes and forms. It may be building a career, a family, or a ministry. Perhaps you are building something physical like a home or a garden. Building takes time and dedication. The most essential tool for the toolbox is the ability to pivot because, more times than not, the plan will change; the way we thought it would work out doesn’t. And if we forget to pivot, discouragement will inevitably make itself at home.
I’ve been in a season of building. Over the last few years, I have been writing my first book. During bouts of discouragement, I’ve had to remember the call, my commitment at the get-go, and the conviction that I could do it. The nest-building is not quite finished, but I’ll sign the contract with the publisher this week, and the book will be out for Lent of 2026.
If you are in a season of building, don’t let the enemy take that initial idea or dream away from you, and don’t give up. Be like the Boat-tailed Crackle and build that nest!
Without building the nest, what’s intended to come forth is never born.
