Children need nests safe from storms of pain

Abuse, drugs, violence, neglect, crisis and a lack of food have been the norm for so many of the children who come into Baptist Children’s Homes’ (BCH) care.

Recently, I drove by Stokes Cottage and Hayes-Solomon Cottage at Mills Home. Both yards were filled with children playing. I stopped at the curb. The boys and girls ran up to my car, and all at once, they began telling me about the fun they were having. Every child deserves a safe place where someone they trust will care for them. It makes me happy to see them happy.

My friend Roy Howell made me a beautiful birdhouse for my yard. It is roomy and has a porch where the birds can rest. When it rains, there is more than a bird’s share of worms. It is perfect! But to my surprise, no birds came. Roy also made a birdhouse for my mom, but hers is always full––I couldn’t understand.

I recruited a wise bird watcher to help figure out the problem. He agreed that the birdhouse was exceptional, but there was one problem. He believes my birdhouse is too close to the ground––the birds do not feel safe. I had not given much thought to safety from a bird’s vantage point. He told me that for birds to nest, the consideration is not how “nice” the birdhouse is, but “how safe.”

Looking past my birdhouse, I see Ciara and Jackie coming home. They are both college students. Due to COVID-19, they are living back on campus and doing schoolwork online.

Earlier in their lives, both girls had lived in unsafe conditions. When they came to BCH, they found a home where they were safe, valued and loved. At Mills Home, they found hope and healing––they have blossomed into beautiful, Christian young women.

Three children, ages seven, six and five, came into BCH’s care. They were safe in

a cottage where they were loved and received care. After a short time, the children’s mom