Recently, I replied to a comment made to me on a social media network site, from a loved one wanting to express loving words towards me on the occasion of my birthday. Even though I have no desire to celebrate this day, I am aware that others still do. My brief reply was "I love you more than my life" as a way of thanks and acknowledgement, without giving offense. As you might guess, words from a mother to a child. No matter our age, we will always remain children to our mothers, even when they are octogenarians!

These words readily spilled forth without any time to think or decide what to say. It was pure and heartfelt, from deep within my core. As any mother would know, the love a mother has for a child is incredibly pure and absolutely selfless. A mother will protect their child from any harm, any threat, and any danger, in order to ensure safety; even if this means their own life is destroyed.

The reply which I wrote reminded me of a scripture found in Luke 13:34: ".......How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings ......".

These words were spoken by Jesus Christ when he was lamenting about the way God's people repeatedly refused, throughout history, to be gathered together by Him, choosing rather the path of disobedience, and were even found guilty of killing prophets and stoning those sent to warn and save them.

The protection of bird's wings – a beautiful analogy

Throughout the Psalms, and even the entire Bible, we can find many references to wings. Birds and hens were created with wings. The domestic hen cannot fly any great distance, however, she clearly demonstrates a very affectionate nature towards her young by enveloping her chicks under the warmth of the downy softness between her wings and bosom or breast. She nurtures them so that they will thrive and grow, and when danger presents, she screens them by covering them over completely. The young are shielded and kept safe.

This vision of a mother providing protection can clearly relate to us as God's children who are part of His church. Just like baby chicks who may wander away from the safety of their mother to explore, we likewise, know that if we wander off to do our own thing, enticed by our own desires, then we place ourselves in great danger. The ravenous wolf would like nothing more than to consume those chicks, and certainly kill and destroy them. The analogy is clear. But we can take great comfort in God's love for us as Jesus Christ tells us in John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly".

King David clearly understood the great love God had for him and others. He repeatedly asked for ongoing protection and faithfully trusted in God's ability and will. David used examples of birds’ wings in many of the Psalms. Some accounts are provided here on which we can meditate:

· In Psalm 17:8 he prayed to God: "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings."

· In Psalm 36:7: "How precious is your loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of your wings."
· In Psalm 61:4: "I will abide in your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of your wings."

· In Psalm 63:7: "Because you have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of your wings I will rejoice."

· In Psalm 91:4: "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge."

Tender love from the Head of the church

Jesus Christ is the head of His church (Ephesians 1:22-23) and is our chief corner-stone (Ephesians 2:20-22). He willingly gave His life for each and every one of us so that we might be saved (John 10:17-18). We are members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19). Like a mother's protection for her child, and the hen for her chicks, we are offered safety, nourishment, rest, healing, refuge, and protection under the loving care and tender warmth of our Saviour's embrace.

His exquisite love for us

According to Google, the adjective form of exquisite is defined as "jewel-like portraits". By Miriam-Webster's Dictionary "Marked by flawless craftsmanship or by beautiful, ingenious, delicate, or elaborate execution".

As humans, even with the help of God's Spirit, we struggle to fully comprehend the great love He has for us. As yet, we are not complete. We realize that we are in the process of being transformed and are God's jewels in the making (Malachi 3:17). We are being moulded and fashioned into something reliable and serviceable by the work of His hand (Isaiah 64:8). If we keep God's commandments we love Jesus Christ and the Father (John 14:21). We will always fall short while we inhabit these human bodies because we are sinners (Romans 3:23). Even though this is true, both God the Father and Jesus Christ still made the most loving sacrifice (Romans 5:8). How do we fully understand, comprehend and meditate on God's perfect love for us? The following scriptural reference may help.

In Ephesians 4:14-19 we read: "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God".