Eagles and Sparrows...A Little Journey

Happy Sunday!  I hope you are having a marvelous day today! It's been a beautiful day here in our neck of the woods so far.  First I would like to share some pictures from a ride we took yesterday that were especially meaningful.

As we were enjoying a leisurely Saturday morning drive on a particularly lovely, cool autumn day, we passed by some open fields, and suddenly I noticed in the tip top of a dead tree in the middle of the field these two amazing Bald Eagles, sitting there as pretty as you please, as if to say, "Why don't you tell your husband to pull off the road and stop the car immediately so you can take pictures of us before we fly away!"  Which of course I did exactly that.  Poor hubby had to find a place to pull over because there were cars behind us, and then do a u-turn in the middle of the two lane road on a curve so he could go back to where these eagles were perched high in that tree, so that I could get out safely and take their picture. What a great guy!

Thankfully the eagles sat right there just as pretty as you please, waiting for me to climb across the grassy shoulder of the road to get a little better vantage point.

I love they way they posed for me, giving me both profile views.

Also another car pulled off the road not far from us and took a few pictures also. Others driving by were definitely looking to see what the excitement was about. I'm glad no one had a collision in the process. Thankfully it's not a real busy road.

I took as many pictures as I could manage. Thankfully my batteries were working.

The sun was bright, but still the pictures are good enough for you to see how beautiful these magnificent creatures are.

Suddenly, without me realizing it because I was so busy trying to focus and shoot pictures, I realized that one of the eagles had flown away. I looked up and around and couldn't see him anywhere.

So before this one decided to fly away too we decided we had taken enough pictures, and got back in the car, did another u-turn to get back in the direction in which we were originally headed, and took off.

Although I could not get a picture of it, as we drove down the road I looked up in the sky in front of us, and there was that eagle flying high above us and in front of us, as if leading the way. I actually hung my head out the window and tried to get a picture as we drove down the road (imagine that picture, if you can), but he flew up and too far above and away before I could get a shot. So my hubby told me to get my head (and camera) back inside the window and behave before something crazy happened, like me falling out of the window or something. (I'm not that crazy...but you never know).

What a wonderful surprise to find these marvelous eagles! And even greater to have that one eagle soaring up above us and leading the way, as if he wanted us to know he was there especially for us!

I just found these Bible verses that I had not noticed before, and I thought they went along with this particular experience in a way:

Exodus 19:3-5

3.  And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 

4.  'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself.

5.  'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine..."

Even though this was spoken to the children of Israel, I feel like it is also a message for us here in America today, and even to us as individuals. If we will indeed hear and obey God's voice and keep His covenant, then we will be a special treasure to Him.  

With this election looming and so much at stake in our nation's freedoms and even the very sanctity of life...it is clearly something for us to consider.

Now back to our little ride in the country.  As we continued on up the road, I asked my husband if he would consider stopping at another place that has some very special memories for our family.  He was apparently in a very cooperative mood, because he actually agreed to make another stop. (This doesn't always happen, friend, trust me! LOL)  And so, when we saw this sign I asked him to please turn in.

Now you may wonder the significance of this place, and so I will tell you.

You can click HERE  for their website and more information.

We pulled in and took some pictures around the campground, this one being the most significant:

This was the giant slide going down into the lake. Looks like a lot of fun!

Yes, I was feeling a little crazy...thought I'd climb up and slide...well, not really...I wasn't exactly dressed for it, but if I were, I would have...maybe, but not that day. It was only about 66 degrees...

That big trampoline in the water looks like fun too. I may just have to go back up and play some day.

Looking back at the camp and that cross again:

This is just one of the dorms for campers. I liked that it had a lakeview and some rockers and chairs on the porch.

The reason this place is significant to me is that many years ago when our three sons were little, our church children went to this camp for summer camp.  Now, as I said, our boys were young, maybe 12, 11, and 7 or thereabouts, and anyway, they had never all been away from home at the same time before, and especially not the "baby", who was just finishing 1st or 2nd grade. At first my hubby and I thought it would be kind of "fun" to have the house to ourselves and spend some time alone without the kids. But after about the 2nd or 3rd day I was going a little crazy, missing the noise of the kids in the house, and especially worrying about our youngest, who was used to me singing songs with him at bedtime, saying prayers, and then he'd sleep with his teddy bear. I just knew he was missing us so much and probably couldn't sleep and that we'd probably get a phone call mid week asking us to come pick him up.  But no phone call ever came, and my empty nest syndrome was kicking in full blast.  By the time Saturday morning came when we were supposed to go pick them up at camp, I was fit to be tied with worry and missing them, and couldn't get there fast enough.  So you can imagine how I felt when we drove up to the camp and parked our car, and saw the boys come running toward us from the cafeteria.  I was so happy to see them and see how much they missed us written all over their faces...well, maybe not.  Our "baby" came running up to us and gleefully yelled out, 

"Hi Mom, Hi Dad! Can I stay another week?"

Of course I immediately responded a loud resounding, "NO!"  I couldn't believe my ears or eyes...my "baby" hadn't missed me at all! He hadn't missed his teddy bear or my goodnight songs and kisses and prayers...he wanted to stay at camp another week!! After I got over my shock and we gathered up all their dirty clothes and got them all safely back into our car and headed home, we listened to story after story of what a great week it had been and how much they loved it and how much they all wanted to come back again next year, on and on and on.  

I guess I really was happy and relieved that it had been a wonderful experience for them, but it was the beginning of the realization to me that our kids are not our own...they belong to God, and He may have plans for their lives that don't always include us as their parents. Yes, our boys did go back to other camps in the future...not that particular one because we moved away from that area the next year, but they continued to have happy camping experiences all the way through their school years, with our oldest son even working at a camp all summer one year. I guess they kind of took after me, because I loved going to camp and was a camp counselor after high school one summer. And actually, quite a few years later I actually came back to this particular camp as a counselor with our youth group from a church where my husband was the pastor. I spent that entire week participating in all the camp activities with the kids, doing the obstacle course, playing the games, swimming in the lake, as well as leading them in nightly devotions and making sure the campers obeyed all the rules. It was a very rewarding and exhausting experience for me, one I will never forget.  So this little jaunt into visit the campground again held many many memories. I hope you enjoyed the trip.

Now, for today's message, and the Praise Team singing "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" , click on this video below.  I hope you will enjoy the music as well as our Pastor's message from I Peter 4:12-19.

His Eye is On The Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,

I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

My Response to a Weary Mother

One of my precious blogging friends wrote a poignant message the other day regarding her struggles with her teen-aged daughter, whom she has just recently begun to home-school.  You can read more about this on "Beneath the Surface: Breath of Faith: blog:"Look to The East-Message for Weary Mothers".  

After reading this heart rending message, my spirit was moved with compassion and I found myself remembering the years of raising our three sons...a.k.a. "The Preacher's Kids"...which should explain everything (almost).  This is what I wrote to my friend in the comment section of her post:

"Someday I will find the courage to write the true stories of our lives...the real behind the scenes nitty gritty details of what really happened...not what was portrayed in the perfect family portraits. I have three sons. They are all uniquely and wonderfully made...but NONE of them were or are perfect by any stretch of the imagination. We fought, we cried, we pleaded with them and with God, we could not believe or understand the whys and wherefores of their imperfections and struggles. But GOD, in His neverending love and mercy, reached down and gave compassion, strength, and comfort in the dark days....and lifted our feet up out of the miry clay and helped us to stand firm on the ROCK, in spite of the angry waves surrounding our souls. HOLD ON TIGHT dear weary mother! God is still on His throne, and He has not forgotten you or your child. He's still working on her and your behalf. There WILL be better and brighter days ahead. Just keep looking UP! NO ONE, NOR ANY FAMILY is perfect, regardless of how they may appear. Love ya girlfriend. You are not alone in your struggles."

 Our sons are all adults now.  Somehow we did survive their teen years and lived to tell about it. I wish I could say that all their struggles (and ours) ceased when they reached the magical age of adulthood. But again, that would not be truthful. Oftentimes the aftermath of childhood and youthful traumas, wrong decisions, health issues, carry over into the years when they should be able to move forward into the "promised land" of maturity, successful careers, marriages, and a life of peace and joy.

We, as their parents, are still limited in what we can do for them. Sure, we can provide advice based on years of experience, but it often is not welcomed nor heeded.  We can try to make life a little easier for them by helping to carry some of their burdens, whether it be due to the bad economy, unemployment, unexpected illness, or even yet, the result of their own bad decisions.  But we can't fix everything. We cannot create perfection in our families now any more than we could when they were our little children safe at home in our nest.

What we CAN do is lift our sons/daughters up to the Throne of Grace...the Father, Creator, Sustainer, the ONE and ONLY ONE WHO is able to keep them from falling.
We, as concerned parents, can continue to ~

"Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Delight yourself also in the Lord,

and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him,

and He shall bring it to pass."

(Psalm 37:3-5)

And we  can also claim this promise from this favorite Proverb 22:6 ~ 

"Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is OLD 

He will not depart from it."

I know there are many parents out there who are still waiting for the fulfillment of this promise in their adult children's lives. We know we planted the seeds early on in their childhood...we nurtured them and tried to do what we deemed best for them in every way possible.  We gave them appropriate discipline, taught them the truth from God's Word, went with them to church, dedicated them to the Lord as infants and rejoiced with them when they took the steps of faith in their own salvation and baptism and commitment to Christ.  And yet, somewhere along the way they took a left turn or a detour that led them down the wrong path and caused them to wander in the wilderness of life. We stood by helplessly watching, aghast at the choices they were making, the decisions that drove them further away from the security of home and family, and wondered where we failed them. 

Where did we go wrong? Nine times out of ten we didn't do anything "wrong".  Yes, I know there are parents who made wrong choices and decisions themselves that may have led to their children's confusion and struggles. We may be (and probably are) one of them.  But even so, God's promises are still true. And it is never too late to pray for our children...to recommit them to Christ...even if they refuse to listen or hear of it.  It is never too late for us to do as the Psalmist in Psalm 40:1-3 ~

"I waited patiently for the Lord;

And He inclined to me,

and heard my cry.

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

and set my feet upon a rock,

and established my steps.

He has put a new song in my mouth~

Praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear,

and will trust in the Lord."

So, dear weary mother, father, loved one or friend, take heart today. God is still at work in your children's lives, no matter how far they may have strayed...no matter how far YOU may have strayed...God is still God. He is still on the throne. He never gives up on us.  So HOLD ON...Keep looking up! God is not finished with ANY of us yet!!!!

Here is a new song that is applicable to us parents AND to our kids...great message for today...listen and believe it.
"You Can Change Who You Are" by Unspoken

Choices...Some Good, and Some Not So Good...

One of my dear friends wrote on her facebook status today:  "Sitting here thinking about how as a parent you can raise your children -. teaching them right from wrong, good morals and love them more than life itself. Sometimes they seem to travel down the wrong path. I can only pray that they will decide to travel down the right path again and remember what they have been taught over the years."

Who among us who happen to be parents, have not felt this way at some time or another in our lives?  I mean, if you have children, and if those children have reached adolescence and/or early adulthood, I can guarantee you that sooner of later you will have the same concerns and feelings as my friend above.  I don't care how good of a parent you are (or think you are), or how perfect you think your kids are...there will come a day that you will wonder, "Where did I go wrong?"This was my response to my friend:

"We each have to make our own choices in life...some are great, and some are not so great...but God, in His infinite mercy, has given us a second chance. Your kids are like everyone else's kids...just keep praying and loving them. You can't go wrong that way...and remember what Proverbs 22:6 says: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Have faith. God is in control, even when we don't think so. "

Dear parent of children of any age, please don't lose hope or faith when your children stray away from the teachings of your faith and/or family traditions.  This is a natural part of growing up and becoming adults.  We can't always be there to guard them and protect them and keep them from making bad decisions.  We are not omnipresent, omnipotent, or omniscient.  But there is ONE Who is...our Heavenly Father...Abba Father...and HE loves our children so much more than we can even begin to fathom.  He tenderly guards each one of them and watches over their hearts with the infinite love of the Everlasting Father...Almighty God...The Creator and Sustainer of ALL life. 

Just as we earthly parents lovingly discipline and teach our children when they go astray, so does our Heavenly Father guide us back into the right path when we wander off...

"My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."  Hebrews 12:5-6

"If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?" Hebrews 12:7

"Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.  Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the LORD; looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled." Hebrews  12:11-15

Yes, we all like sheep have gone astray... (Isaiah 53:6) but our loving Shepherd searches for us diligently until He finds us, and rejoicing, He brings us safely back into the fold.   (Luke 15:4-7)




"Gone Astray" by Michael Belk

  So, dear friend, please do not fret or fear...your child is only doing what man (or woman) has done since Adam and Eve...testing their own wings...making their own decisions...and it's all apart of growing up.  You don't have to like it or approve, but you do need to trust God to take care of His own.  He will not fail you. Just keep praying and trusting...and loving.  He'll take care of the rest.  Trust me, I know what I'm talking about!!!