| A dear friend of ours, Paul, is currently going through a lonely time of separation from God. Despite the help and encouragement from his wonderful, loving Christian wife, he remains full of sorrow. He has eaten ashes like bread and mingled his drink with weeping. There is nothing much we can do for him - except pray for him. Just two days ago, my son, Sam, asked "Mom, you know who I miss talking to? Paul. In fact, I really miss him, mom. Do you think he'll come back to church?" "I don't know, Sam. I hope so. We should pray for him" "Yeah ...." and then "Mom, why doesn't Paul come to church?" I had to think for a minute. How does one answer a child's genuinely-concerned question, without disclosing 'adult' information? And then, the Lord showed me. We had gone to the Snowy mountains together with Paul and his family during the summer months - over two years ago and had a wonderful time in an old, pioneer hut; cooking over an open fire, showering in cold water, swimming in cool mountain rivers. A peaceful time. A time of family fellowship. Paul's wife, Sue had told me a few facts about eagles: During an eagles' life span, it can become very depressed. Not all of them, just some. During the time of depression, the eagle will perch somewhere, head hung low, not moving, not eating - with no desire to mix with other eagles. The eagle remains there for some time, and often, it will die. Nobody knows if the eagle dies of thirst, starvation or just simply - a 'broken heart' - just so full of sorrow. Normal healthy eagles are not exempt from this behaviour. While the 'depressed' eagle is in it's state of sorrow, the other eagles will hover over it. They will swoop down and communicate. They will find food and even drop food off to the sick eagle. In fact, they become rather fretful and concerned, trying to encourage their feathered friend. One can almost hear them "....aw, c'mon, mate. Cheer up. We've missed you. Here, have a bite to eat. Hope you'll be feeling well soon...." Some pick up and eat and gain their strength and are soon back with their flock. I retold this same story to Sam. He stood there, mesmerised, and I could 'see' the thoughts racing through his mind. His face, full of emotion. "We have to be like the eagles' friends, Sam. We have to encourage our friends when they are down. We have to be strong when they are weak...." This give a whole new meaning to the verse.... "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 41:31 Love, Helen |