Watching my daughter’s ballet recital has a way of bringing my considerable emotion to the top of my throat. Every year I enter the state of jumbled tears and delight that gave Webster the definition of poignant. She is beautiful. They all are. And for these few hours a year we take the time to really appreciate it.
One dance especially spoke to my heart. A mama-bird ballerina flew tenderly around a nest of sweet young chicks, encouraging them into the adventure beyond the safe wall of twigs they had known. One by one, they tried their wings and popped out of the nest to soar along with her. Finally, only one baby bird was left lingering in her comfort zone, half-covering her eyes as she watched her family joyfully flying.
How I know the heart of that tiny fledgling. Watching in wonder at the strong wings dancing around her, longing to join them, yet afraid to let go of the ground that has held her steady since birth.
In just over two months, our wings will launch us to serve the Lord in Costa Rica. Each day seems to unveil a new item to be accomplished before we go. We need official, certified documents, and we need apostille documents to prove that those documents are indeed officially certified. We need the Lord to sell our house and to provide the funding to support our ministry. Our baby beaks are open wide, cheeping to the heavenly Father, and sometimes our feather-tips feel more comfortable covering our eyes than they do preparing for flight.
But the beauty of the family of God serving fully—at home and out in the nations—calls to us. The Holy Spirit lifts our wings, encouraging us to join Him in the adventure of living by faith. The little chick eventually made her way out into the dance. Carried by our Lord, partnered by a host of people with a heart for at-risk children and mission teams, so will we.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 NIV
The Good News Family 
Hi Gnuse’s!
Very nice correlation to the challenge before you. You all remain in my thoughts and prayers, and I’m proud and thankful to have met you all a year ago. Press on! Philippians 3:14
Ken “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” Robert F. Kennedy
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Thank you, Ken, we will indeed. Your friendship is an honor, and your prayers will lead the way.
you touched my heart deeply in your sweet reflection, kris 🙂 thanks so much ❤
You have a sweet heart that I’m glad to be able to touch, Pam. So good to know you.
What a bit of irony for me–that my very area I am not flying into is nesting! Small emotional or logistical issues are being allowed to hold me back, as if it will truly gain me more time. Today and the next have got to be work days–real ones, where no amount of frustration allows me to give up and nap like an ostrich with my head in the sand. “I can’t see what needs done, therefore, it doesn’t need done!” May we both have the energy and drive, and the peace of heart and mind to get the tasks done, and know God’s timing is still perfect. Oh–and HOW beautiful Eliana looks! I’m sure she did such a good job.
Thank you, Chris. I was so excited to be able to shoot that picture of her. Hope your nest is perfect as your new little chick arrives.
An incredibly and poignant analogy and post. Fledglings–fly. (Daughter is beautiful)
Thank you, Marcia!
I agree with Marcia; a beautiful analogy! Thanks for the encouraging message!