The term “nesting” evokes birds, but it also describes human behavior upon claiming a space. In your moments of spiritual preparation to lead this session, think about human beings in the following situations and imagine how they might “nest.”

• A military family has moved once a year for the past three years. They are now approaching their newest base housing.
• A single mother and two children are evicted from their home. They find a shelter for women and children that will take them for six weeks.
• A family living in an apartment building narrowly escapes a building fire that consumes their home and belongings. They are uninsured. They receive $1,000 in gift cards from a local charity and an offer to rent another apartment in the same complex.
• An immigrant family arrives in the United States and enters their first housing with their four boxes, four suitcases, and one bag.

When have you had to “nest” in a new situation? How did that feel? What worked to make you feel at home?