Song of Longing

We usually have a wren occupying the birdhouse in the tree outside our back porch.  It is always fascinating to observe the male and female birds darting in and out with insects in their mouths, ready to feed their brood, until the day they are big enough to disappear.  Often they have two sets of offspring in a season.

This year there has been no domestic activity.  Instead, we have a male that has furnished the nest but who, so far, has been unable to entice any members of the opposite sex.  He calls and calls and calls but there have been no takers.  In fact, up until today, we haven't observed any females even checking out the accommodations.  Then, this morning, one actually peeked inside the house.  She must not have been impressed because he's still calling and she hasn't been been back.

Listening to the almost frantic call of our bachelor wren reminds me of all the days that I was single and the unfulfilled longing that would not go away.  There were many times when I hoped that a budding relationship was going to be "the one" up only to have that hope dashed.  Now, having been married for over twenty years to the man that God had waiting for me,  I can hardly recall the pain.

God created us for each other.  To be in a relationship with the Father, with the Son and with those we are bound to by birth or by marriage.  Without those relationships, something is missing.  No matter how we fill up our lives, the solitary life leaves us empty, wishing for more, longing for someone to occupy the empty spaces.  “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” God said in Genesis 2 and the solitary wren echoes that sentiment.