nudges and pushes of encouragment

This last Sunday we learned about the mating rituals of Eagles. Eagles will mate for life. The Female, when she spots a Male she's interested in, will pick up a large stick and then fly really high and drop it. The Male eagle will then fly down and catch the stick before it hits the ground. If in fact this happens and the Male does catch the stick, the Female knows he is a suitable mate. When Baby eagles are hatched and it is time for them to learn to fly, the Mother will stand on the side of the nest and flap her wings so fast that the wind from it will pick the Babies up off the nest encouraging them to open their wings and practice flying. If after a few trials a Baby is lazy and does not open it's wings the Mother will push it out of the nest. But right before it hits the ground, the Father swoops down to catch the Baby and bring it back up to the nest. They will repeat this until finally the Baby opens it wings to fly.

So how does this story pertain to God and us? Our God is with us for life he will never leave us. He stands beside us sometimes creating a wind to lift us. He encourages us to flap our wings for his kingdom. This maybe out of our comfort at times; and in those times when we become lazy he may push us out of the nest to awaken us. And just when we think it can't get any worse and it's over, he is there catching us and bring us back to the nest. This may continue until we are strong and focused enough to fly out on our own. May we sing praises to our God of encouragement, of help, and of constant love. His plan is greater than ours and his teachings mold us to be his holy children.

"Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63: 7-8