There are a group of ladies that I affectionately consider to be my 'Home Girls'. And, I feel sure (or at least I hope) they know who they are. Most all of us have a group of ladies (whether small or large) in our lives who have traveled the miles of life with us. My Home Girls shared life with me, in one form or the other, for the past six years. The past six years have been some of the most meaningful and fabulos times of my life because of the miles the women and I have shared. They are some of the finest women I have ever met.
It just so happens that God has gently pushed this baby bird out of the nest she calls home away from my Home Girls and I'm honestly just missing my them today. So, I am sharing the following story with you all today but especially as a tribute to them. I feel all of you will appreciate the story- or at least I hope so!
It was time. Momma and Papa Eagle new it was time to let go. Although, everything within wanted to hold on to Baby Eaglet with all the might their long wing spans could hold. Momma Eagle had cared for Baby Eaglet from the moment she knew Baby Eaglet would be born. It seemed like only yeterday that Baby Eaglet hatched and turned their nest home gloriously upside down.
Baby Eaglet had enjoyed the security and safety of the nest Momma and Papa Eagle had provided. The nest was warm and cozy. It had everything a Baby Eaglet could ever want. The finest nest around or at least that's what Baby Eaglet believed. What made the nest home so wonderful? Well, the Eagle family did. Had it not been form Momma and Papa Eagle being there with Baby Eaglet it would have been just another nest home.
Momma and Papa Eagle were wonderful parents to Baby Eaglet. They made sure she had all the food and milk she needed in order for her to grow big and strong. They protected her from the elements in the wild and from those that would prey around the nest home. Momma and Papa made sure to teach Baby Eaglet all she needed to know in order to survive in the wild world of the sky and trees.
Life for the Eagle family couldn't have been better. They enjoyed each other's company. They talked in eagle talk for hours on end. When Baby Eaglet was scared or nervous Momma and Papa Eagle would soothe her fears by singing a song sweet song of encouragement into her ear. Baby Eaglet loved her Momma and Papa and Momma and Papa loved Baby Eaglet. The nest home was Baby Eaglet's favorite place in all the world. Even with all the sky and trees to explore on the outside, Baby Eaglet never cared about wondering outside the nest for everything she could ever need was right there at home with Mamma and Papa Eagle.
Time had come. Today was the day Baby Eaglet would leave the comforts of the nest home and the security of Momma and Papa Eagle to spread her wings and fly on her own for the first time. Although, Baby Eaglet had no idea today was the day. Momma and Papa Eagle knew. As much as it pained them to let their little one go they knew it was for Baby Eaglets own good. She was ready because she had learned well. Papa and Momma Eagle knew Baby Eaglet would make them proud as she soared amidst the sky and land.
So, Momma Eagle breathed deeply and with one fell swoop she picked up Baby Eaglet by her talons and pushed her to the edge of the nest. While Papa Eagle stood perched on the nest edge right beside Baby Eaglet with a determined and proud look in his eyes. Baby Eaglet wasn't sure what was happening she only knew that the ground below was far away and looking down was scary. But, Baby Eaglet trusted Momma and Papa . They had always proved to be good and faithful to Baby Eaglet so she knew she was safe. But Baby Eaglet would never have dreamed Papa and Momma Eaglet would do to Baby Eaglet what they did next. All of the sudden Momma Eagle gave Baby Eaglet a good swift push and out of the nest home Baby Eaglet went heading straight for the ground below.
Now, I bet your wondering what happened to Baby Eaglet after she got pushed, ever so genlty, from Papa & Momma Eagle's nest home? Before we go any further with this story let me tell you what happened to ME when God pushed me out of the comforts of what I will call- my 'Home Girl Nest'. This is just one instance of many thus far to help you get the picture of what the past couple of months have been like on the outside of the Home Girl Nest!
After being pushed out of my 'Home Girl Nest' (ever so gently) by my Father, who said it was time to go (and yes- the ground below is way scary) - I plunged straight to the ground falling flat on my beak. Girlfriends- the fall was hard. Why? Embarrassment. As simply as I can state it- embarrassment. Yep, that's what happened to this Baby Eaglet!
So here's the dirt loaded with worms. I'm at a certain leadership event with around a 100 or so area pastors, church leaders, and college presidents (to name a few) and was scheduled to give a breif talk to the group . I of course was thrilled with the opportunity to speak- my Home Girls know- give her an opportunity to open her big mouth and oh my. So, no problem-right? WRONG.
Here we go- dinner is over and it's time. I have my speech prepared-everything I wanted to say was all written out. (And, on a side note- it was a dad gum good speech). I make my move toward the stage. I climb up the steps to the stage all the while thinking "O PLEASE Lord don't let me trip on the steps and make a fool of myself". Prayer was answered! I made it to the podium layed my speech in front of me, ajusted the microphone, and looked to my left. That's when it happened. The WORST case of stage fright I have EVER in my whole life had ascended on me like a spring downpour. My knees commenced to knocking and my whole body was shaking. I thought to my life I was going to shake right out of my leopard skinned high heel sandals (another side note- you would have loved the shoes!!). My ears began to ring and my mouth was so dry I could hardly speak- my tounge was LITERALLY sticking to the roof of my mouth. No joke!! All eyes were now on me. Everyone was waiting. In my mind I couldn't connect two words together let alone read my speech. The lighting above the podium was way weird (or so I thought) or could it be that I was beginning to see spots? Black out perhaps? Oh no Lord!!
And just when I thought things couldn't get worse- it happened- I opened my big mouth. And out of it came what I believe was a totally new language. The group must of thought the Holy Spirit had descended upon me and I blessed with the gift of speaking in tongues! Believe me when I say-That was not the case. What I will say however, is the language I was speaking was nothing but Gibberish. And my written speech- I really don't believe I read the first word on it! Girls, it was AWFUL! Humiliating.
Instead of being pushed from the nest I felt like I had flown the coop! I feel sure the guests thought the same!! After what seemed to be hours I made my way off the stage and back to my seat. My face had turned all manner of red and not only were my outsides shaking- my insides now were too. As I took my seat all I could think about was my Home Girls and where is the nearest exit!! All I wanted to do was just crawl back into my Home Girl nest and hide.
Had I been within the comforts of my 'Home Girl Nest' this would have never happened. My Home Girls know me and I know them. I don't know how else to say it other than we just fit like a great pair of worn in blue jeans. We just work.
When I finally got home after the event and laid my tired head on the pillow I can honestly say I questioned God for pushing me from my Home Girl Nest. Maybe it's too soon Lord. Maybe we made a mistake. What was up with that even tonight Lord?? And, I thanked Him profusely for my Home Girl Nest. I was utterly homesick and I told God as much!
Ever so gently, the Father began to whisper in my ear, "Lori, who were you relying on tonight?" And then it hit me like a ton of falling straw straight from the nest. Not once had I asked the Lord for His help with this speaking job. I reasoned it in my head that I had given this talk a hundred times already- no big deal. I had written out a speech just in case but because this was a usual talk for me-I probably wouldn't really need it. Wrong Again. Girls- I tried going it on my own. Needless to say I got a full course meal of humble worm pie and I deserved every last bite of it. My What was I thinking?? Obviously- I wasn't.
So, for my Home Girls- please know you are deeply loved by Baby Eaglet who fell on her beak this week! I will be forever grateful for the comforts provided me during my time in the Home Girl Nest. What made it so wonderful was all of you. And I wouldn't take a million dollars for all the spiritual food you dished out and served uped to this Baby Eaglet. I highly esteem each one of you and I am so glad to have shared the Home Girl Nest with you.
Also know, Baby Eaglet is not giving up. Sometimes the lesson is in the fall. I'm a bit bruised (my pride that is) and I feel sure God intended it to be just that way. It is true- pride comes before the fall and trust me the fall can be brutal! So now this Baby Eaglet is on the ground and praying a fresh wind from the Spirit will come blowing in and sweep her off her eagle feet- and if he does- she will bat her wings like crazy. And, with the Lord's help, Baby Eaglet will soar- not because she learned to soar on her own- but because she learned to rely on the wind of the Spirit her Heavenly Father Eagle provided to carry her wings and the training and love from Father and Mother Eagle and her Home Girl Nest.
Missing the Home Girl Nest,
Baby Eaglet
P.S. As for Baby Eaglet from the original story - she soared ever so high on the first try. And, I'm so jealous! ha!
"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles." Isaiah 40:31
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