They will soar on wings like eagles.(Isaiah 40:31)
"There is a fable about the way birds first got their wings. The story goes that initially they were made without them. Then God made the wings, set them down before the wingless birds, and said to them, "Take up these burdens and carry them". The birds had sweet voices for singing, and lovely feathers that glistened in the sunshine, but they could not soar in the air. When asked to pick up the burdens that lay at their feet, they hesitated at first. Yet soon they obeyed, picked up the wings with their beaks, and set them on their shoulders to carry them. For short time the load seemed heavy and difficult to bear, but soon, as they continued to carry the burden and to fold the wings over their hearts, the wings grew attached to their little bodies. They finally quickly discovered how to use them and were lifted by the wings high into the air. The weights had become wings. This is a parable for us. We are the wingless birds, and our duties and tasks are the wings God uses to lift us up and carry us heavenward. We look at our burdens and heavy loads, and try to run from them, but if we carry them and tie them to our hearts, they will become wings. And on them we can then rise and soar toward God. There is no burden so heavy that when lifted cheerfully with love in our hearts will not become a blessing to us. God intends for our tasks to be our helpers; to refuse to bend our shoulders to carry a load is to miss a new opportunity for growth. J. R. Miler
No matter how overwhelming, any burden God has lovingly placed with His own hands on our shoulders is a blessing." Frederick William Faber
Father, I am tired. I am weak, and I am selfish. It just amazes me how you are so perfect in your timing to give the perfect word to your children. Ministry can be so draining, but of course you know that. YOU KNEW what we would be faced with when YOU CALLED our FAMILIES into this neighborhood. YOU KNEW how the people here would flock to us, searching for something they didn't know they had a NEED for. We see how you are providing them with Christ love through us. Please forgive me for not totally depending on you for strength.. YOUR strength is so perfect when our strength is gone. Would you please teach us how to carry the burdens of the people without being burned out. Would you please give delta and I faith the size of a mustard seed to know that you will do above and beyond all that we think or could imagine. What joy to know that you are here with us. We say bring it on Jesus, whatever it takes to conform us into Christ image, bring it on. To God be the Glory. Amen!!!!!