December 13:  REVELATION
     Have you not known? Have you not heard? 
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; 
his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for 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 40:28-31



Reflection by Janelle Taylor

I was thrilled when given this Bible passage to write about. Many years ago I heard a sermon, "Life on Wings," delivered by the Rev. Dr. Everett L. "Terry" Fullam, then Rector at St. Paul's, Darien, CT.  The sermon had a tremendous impact on me that I have never forgotten. 

It inspires me now to write about the eagle's nest and how it reminds me that we are not in control of our lives. Eagle nests are usually found high up in the cliffs or in tall trees. They can weigh in at half a ton, and are intricately woven together with great branches in an infinitely skillful way. The baby eagles are snug and secure in these nests, but the day comes when it is time to leave. Baby eagles are born to fly, but they must be taught. Mama teaches them to fly by gently nudging them to the edge of the nest and then pushing them over the side. The babies free fall until mama comes from beneath and catches them on her great wings. She does this over and over. Then finally, one day she starts destroying the nest, determined that these baby eagles will learn to fly.  

How many times has God taken you away from the safety and security of your nest so that you can soar like an eagle? Just recently, Terry and I had a heated discussion over my always having a better way of doing things. Whenever he makes a recommendation or suggestion, I have the bad habit of coming up with a better one. It seems l like to be in control! I can think of a very important time in my life when I wanted to be in control and God said no

When I decided to return to work after being a stay-at-home mom, I decided to become a teacher. I spent two years getting certified and found out this was not what I wanted. Because I had previous experience as a social worker, I was offered the job as a school social worker. After working a couple of years I found out that to keep the job I had to get my masters degree. How? There were no schools in the area offering an MSW. I couldn't quit and go to school; I needed to work. Besides, I was comfortable doing my job and didn't see the need for additional schooling. I finally found a degree at The University of West Georgia in Carrollton. For two straight years, once a week, I would leave Tifton around noon, drive to Carrollton for class, then turn around and drive home, arriving around 2 a.m. I had to document and make up every hour I missed from work. 

The second year Terry took off from work and drove me to and from classes because I was so tired. I can't begin to tell you how God guided me those two years. I often fell asleep at the wheel; he woke me. I had forgotten how to study; he showed me. I was mad that I had to travel so far; he taught me forgiveness. God revealed to me that I could step out of my comfort zone where I was in control and could face what he had planned for me--which was better and more than anything I could ever have dreamed. 

 The late Steve McQueen was an avid glider. Once he hit a thermal and decided to fly it as high as he could, somewhere around 14,000 feet. When he looked out the window he remembered, "You'll never guess. I saw eagles! They had the ability to lock their wings. It looked like they were asleep; they were riding the wind so effortlessly." I strive for the faith to close my eyes and let God be in complete control of my life.





Think Outside the Manger  is a daily Advent devotional written and produced by members of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Tifton, GA. Visit www.stannestifton.com to learn more.

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