Hunkered Down Homilies – Launch
One part of our recent always-something, never-finished, spring-cleaning chores required that I take down the ferns we have hanging on our front porch. I set the ferns on the ground and began to water them and suddenly realized I was drowning four small birds nestled among the leaves. Although I had seen a bird flit out of the hanging basket prior to that day, I did not realize there was a little family growing in the fern.
The baby birds were very small the day I discovered them, but I knew it would not be long before they would step out of the nest and fly off on their own. The experience reminded me of some humans preparing to launch into new territories. There are children completing grades that will launch them toward kindergarten, high school, college and beyond. (In our family alone, we have one leaving elementary school and one completing middle school.) We know a college student who is entering the work force, a mom who will soon be moving into a new job, a couple who are both eagerly anticipating retirement and the freedom to travel that retirement allows.
Sometimes leaving the nest can be a frightening step. Moving into unknown areas without the comfort and assurances of the past can be overwhelming and even paralyzing. We want to know that we will be safe, protected, accepted and loved. We need to know that we will have enough and be enough for the situations we will face. I remember a quote that goes, “When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: either there will be ground to stand on, or you will be given wings to fly.” O.R. Melling
Having a positive attitude toward new challenges is a wonderful thing. Too many never realize the fulness of God’s plan for them because they were afraid to take a step of faith. The Bible makes it clear, however, that our strength and confidence come from a source outside ourselves. “But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.” (Isaiah 40:31 MSG) Call on God before you spread your wings or take that step. He will make the impossible possible.
I checked the nest again today. The birds are gone.
-Dr. Jim Baldwin
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