Birdfeeding Father: How squirrels & dive-bombing robins inspired a new Fathers Day sketch

From Backyard Chaos to a Church Stage: My new sketch is here just in time for Father's Day

I suited up like a gladiator. The squirrels declared war. And somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a new Fathers Day sketch for churches was born.

This week I wrote Birdfeeding Father, a short, heartfelt (and I think funny) play about God’s relentless fatherly love, inspired directly by the robins and squirrels taking over my backyard.

A skit born in the chaos of backyard life

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you may have noticed I’m having some real wildlife adventures in my own backyard. Our property edges an awesome green space with massive walnut trees.

My recent purchase of a bird feeder with a solar-powered camera has brought a lot of joy to our family as we watch a live stream of cardinals, sparrows, chickadees, and blue jays feed at all hours. But it’s also invited squirrels. And they want to break me as a man, along with my bird seed budget.

Even as this drama was unfolding, there were more antics afoot near our pool shed. A robin family set up camp on our exterior shed light, and the babies recently hatched. I, of course, needed photos. The robin mom, of course, went on the attack.

Somewhere, in all this chaos, a new story was born. And as I armoured up like a thrift store gladiator to take more photos, you might think that I went straight to the book of Ephesians for the spiritual punchline.

The surprise is, something else emerged, entirely.

You’ll have to get the script to discover the full story, but here’s a preview of the setup:

John is in his garage, decked out in protective gear–goggles, garden gloves, a baseball umpire’s chest protector, shin guards, and a garbage can lid as a shield. Everything is in place except for his helmet. He bends over to pick it up. As he does, Kate enters the garage with a full garbage bag and stops dead in her tracks when she sees him. John doesn’t notice her.

John: That just about does it. Oh, wait–

John stops, flips the hood of the hoodie into place over his head, then puts the helmet on.

John: There.

John bends back down and picks up the garbage can lid.

Kate: Ready for battle?

John jumps at the words, turns quickly and holds up his shield in a protective stance.

John: Kate. You scared me.

Kate: Apparently.

John: How long have you been standing there?

Kate: Not long. I was just bringing out the trash and then I saw you, well…doing this. Did you pick up roller hockey again? Or, are you going to ump a Little League game?

John: I’m, uh, going to fill up the birdfeeder.

Kate says nothing. She just silently pulls out her smartphone and snaps a picture.

John: Hey.

She looks at the photo and laughs, then starts tapping her screen.

John: What are you doing?

Kate: This is definitely going into the family chat.

John: Let me see it first.

Kate: Too late.

Kate puts the phone back in her pocket.

Kate: So, Maximus, what bird battle are we fighting today?

John: The cardinals need some help.

Kate: Oh, so you are going to play baseball.

John: No, no. The red birds with the fun little crests. Their feeder is empty.

Kate: And they are going to maul you to death if you don’t hurry?

John: Not them. The swallows. The mom has new babies. But birds don’t maul. They dive bomb.

Kate drops the trash on the ground and turns around.

John: Where are you going?

Kate: I’m gonna go keep cleaning.

About the script:

Synopsis: Kate enters the garage to discover her husband, John, a pastor and avid birdwatcher, suiting up into protective gear like he’s about to enter battle. The funny moment, which she captures for the family group chat, plants a sermon for John about God’s love for everyone, and how there’s a place for us all.

Themes: Humor, Faith, Fathers, Armor of God, Belonging, Fellowship

An easy to produce, humorous skit for your church service or school gathering. Production ready with minimal props. Available in PDF format.

Discussion questions for small groups or families.

How you can use this script

If you’re a pastor, worship leader, or teach kids at home or at a school, this is a great script to use on Father’s Day, or for an upcoming Sunday where you want to zero in on God’s love.

It’s designed to fit right between the worship set and the sermon. You can have two actors (of any skill level) perform it before or after the announcements.

If you’re a dad, pastor, or church creative, I’d love to hear how this lands!

More great resources

The backyard chaos also helped me to organize my thinking as a writer and a dad into an unfolding “Author Dad Code,” which I’ll be sharing here and on social in the next few weeks. I’ve compiled the thoughts in this free download to help and encourage people just like you.

👉🏻 Don’t forget to grab your free Author Dad Code Book.

Thanks for stopping by.

~ Andrew

PS - Be careful in that squirrel and bird filled world out there!