Nests R Us

Bobby Ewing (a real person of Grace Gospel Church in Fort Worth extraction, as opposed to the better known character from the Dallas series) was a Bible teacher extraordinaire. He could talk about the people in Romans 16, expound on the meaning of each name, extrapolate on what that inferred about each of their lives, and make you feel that you were right there with them, that you knew them. He could take an obscure animal in the Bible, expound on its features, apply the meaning to the passage in which it was used, and in so doing greatly better his listeners' understanding of it. Young and old would flock to his teachings when he graced us with his presence in Mexico City, one and all salivating to hear more, more of God's wisdom and glory as put forth in His eternal Word. And . . .

One of the animals he taught about was the noble eagle. I still remember how enthralled I was as Bro. Ewing walked us through the construction of an eagle's nest. Cooperating together, both the male and female work towards lining the nest with sticks, thorns, and other uncomfortable objects. Then and only then do they line the nest with lichens, moss, grass, seaweed--soft stuff for the comfort of the new eaglets. If they work to make the nest comfortable for the fledgling eagles, why do they bother with the thorny stuff? Ah, as the bard would say, "there's the rub!"

Mama and Papa Eagle have a master plan for the construction of their nest. It has to do with forethought and raising their progeny to be responsible eagles. Something like our son Christopher, owner of a smallish farm. Among the animals of which it boasts: hens. The eggs they gather from their brood end up costing about $15 a dozen, what with all that the care of the hens entails. "But," he says, "I'm not raising chickens ... I'm raising children." Through the discipline of chores he looks to instill the characteristics needed for his children to grow into adults with discipline and integrity, a worthy goal that validates every penny spent. In like manner, the parent eagles plan ahead in order to instill in the eaglets those characteristics that will make them noble, independent eagles.

When the eaglets are small, their comfy environment provides the perfect ambience for healthy growth. But as time passes and they grow, they need to go out on their own. A clutch of eaglets fits nicely in an eagle's nest. A convocation, not so much.

To ready them for the next crucial part of their learning, Mama does an amazing thing. She begins to hover over the nest, something she has an amazing ability to do. It seems that this is an integral part of an eagle's learning how to use its wings. Eagles who are removed from a nest and do not have the advantage of a mother demonstrating the use of wings will not try to fly, but will walk around like a chicken, pecking on the ground. Who knew moms were so important????!!!

Anyway, a little later on, once she has demonstrated the use of wings sufficiently, wise Mama begins to take off the soft stuff and uncover the thorny under-layer in the nest. "Ouch! Ouch!" cry the juvenile eaglets. "Mama! We don't like these thorns!" They don't realize that they are conforming to Mama's dearest wishes--that her children develop a desire to leave the nest. Mama eagle might not shove the babies out but she will withhold food in order to encourage her young to begin to forage on their own. That's when the fun begins.

Little eagle spreads out his amazing wings covered with specially crafted feathers (not all feathers are made for gliding on updrafts), and lifts off the nest when a current of wind grabs him just right. If he doesn't "get it" right away, he might begin to tumble, but Mama Eagle is right there by him and swoops down in a flash to catch her baby and carry him back to safety for try #2. The scenario gets repeated until Mama's work is done and her little eaglets have advanced to being independent eagles.

Notice the care Mama Eagle had with her babies--she taught them what their wings were for before she "unfixed" the nest, then she was right there next to them to keep them from disaster till they were able to master the skill of flying. Nice! Hmm .... could this be an analogy speaking about our Heavenly Father's care for us?

Good question! Actually, there are several passages in scripture that compare us or God to eagles. This being so, Bobby Ewing taught it's not too far out to take lessons for ourselves from said eagles, including their nest construction. Sometimes, when God is ready for us to move on, He removes the soft padding in our nest and makes us uncomfortable, makes us want to move on. It might seem "mean" but it's actually love in action, a kindness that will make changes in our lives not hurt so much when they come, especially if we love, love, love our current situation. God knows best, and if He in His superior wisdom prods us to leave our "nest," it's for our good. He's simply so merciful that, just like the mother eagle, He works to make the change more palatable to us.

Hearing the entrancing story of an eagle's nest and growing eaglets' foray into flying was absolutely entrancing. Living it, not so much. Translated into the real world it can get a little "thorny."

Although I can pull up several examples from my own life, the first that comes to mind relates to my work in the ministry. God blessed me with the opportunity to work with a Spanish language magazine at the side of my great-aunt Trinie Valdez for nine years as a single woman and seven years after I married. I love reading, I love editing, I loved Auntie Trinie. I was stepping in high cotton. Then we moved from Mexico to the States and a new entity entered our lives, a new helper for Auntie.

You've heard the expression "third wheel"? There's a reason for it. Two people can pal around easier than three. No need to go into all the details, but that's how I felt after the new helper came on board. It was hard for me emotionally, but God was preparing the nest, getting me ready to want to leave. Wouldn't you know it? Soon after that I met my husband-to-be. In His mercy, God prepared me emotionally to leave the position I loved and would have enjoyed staying in for the rest of my life. I was able to embrace His new plan for my life in part because my "nest" was becoming uncomfortable.

Our God is not mean, He is loving. We might not understand the why of things when they happen, but we can rest assured that everything He allows into our lives is for our ultimate good!

"For the Lord's portion is his people, Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth about her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the Lord alone did lead him..." (Deuteronomy 32:10-12)