An Eagle’s Tale

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Once upon a time, perched high up in the top of a white pine tree, there lived a mother and father eagle with one precious young eaglet.  The parents carefully tended the eaglet.  The mother kept him warm while the father brought back small, torn pieces of fish to feed the eaglet throughout the day.  Both parents stealthily guarded the young eaglet from snakes, hawks and other predators nearby.  As the eaglet grew, the eagle parents began spending short periods of time away from the nest, allowing the young eaglet to become acquainted with the forest and all of its sights, sounds, and activities.  Though never far away, this gave the eaglet confidence that one day he, too, would champion the day in flight.

After three months, mother and father eagle began moving their treasured young eaglet to the outer branches to practice flight beneath their protective care.  Here, the eaglet's compass and call were honed.  He took short flights, returning to the nest for the sharing of meals.  These flights grew longer and longer, with mealtimes growing farther apart.  Each time, the eaglet returned to the safety of the nest and received comfort from the mother eagle's brooding.

Finally, after branching out and learning to hunt, the eaglet was ready to leave the nest for good.  Courageously, he soared high above all the other birds, catching the current and riding the updraft higher and higher.  But one day as the young eagle came low to fish, a Great Horned Owl swooped in to steal the feast, damaging the young eagle's wing.  The eagle was only able to make it to a short tree, exposing himself to predators.  He most assuredly would not be able to feed himself, either.

But then something amazing happened.  The father eagle found his young son on the low tree branch, and arrived with a fresh catch of fish for his son.  Staying with him throughout the night, the father wrapped his wings around his son to protect him from predators and keep him warm.  Day after day, the father lovingly cared for his son until finally the young eagle's wing was strong again and he was able to mount the air.  Taking flight, he called a loud and grateful cry to his father in gratitude for the loving and life-saving gift he received.

Perhaps you have a wounded wing today and need the father's loving care.  Take heart.  Scripture tells us in Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds."

Do you know this most loving Father?  

He knows your name.

"Yet day by day the Lord also pours out his steadfast love upon me, and through the night I sing his songs and pray to God who gives me life." Psalm 42:8

"Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 17:8

Goodnight, Runners.