Kick Out the Nest

I have had these birds, doves namely, hanging out and making babies on my balcony for the past few weeks. The female (I am guessing) just perched up on her nest for the duration of the incubation period, and then last week...they arrived, two little baby doves! I watched them as they just sat there for a couple of days, but something crazy happened after those first couple of vulnerable days. One morning as I looked out onto my balcony, I noticed something. Not only was my balcony covered in dove fecal matter :), but the doves nest had been destroyed and spread out everywhere! I looked up, and there they sat clinging to the edge of a high ledge probably trying to figure out who was going to jump first! The parent doves hung out for a little while to ensure the safety of the baby doves, and then they checked out. So the little ones were left with no home, no parents, and forced to leave the only source of comfort and protection they had ever known.

I am sorry, but I can't help but apply it to leadership. The momma dove had a pretty good handle on what it took to see these little ones spread their wings and do what God had created them to do...kick out the nest! I am sure the baby birds were freaking out at first, but thankful later. When raising up leaders, kick the nest out and put them into situations where they have to "jump and fly."