Birds' wings are amazing. Their wing feathers help them soar aloft, protect them from rough weather, insulate them from extreme heat and extreme cold. How comforting to think of ourselves as nestlings finding refuge under our protective God's Wings (Psalm 91); or we can exult "in the shadow of Your wings I shout for joy." (Psalm 63.)
Jesus speaks of God as being like a protective mother hen: "Jerusalem...how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!" (Luke 13:34)
If we are like nestlings or chicks, we're probably not even aware of how often our Father-Mother God protects us. Or, like the people of Jerusalem, we can sometimes disdain the very idea of God's - or anybody's - protection. We don't want or need anyone's help.
America is the home of the super-individualist. The macho male or female. For me, this is epitomized by that Frank Sinatra standard "I Did It My Way." Or Peggy Lee's (or Bette Midler's) "I'm A Woman, W-O-M-A-N." Each may be a tribute to the "Self-Made" man or woman and sheer gutsiness. But the idea of being a totally self-made person is an illusion.
Pharrell Williams, the "Happy" guy, said in an interview that he did not become successful by himself. He would not have made it without - and here he named every one of his music teachers. Now that's humble realism.
True humility is acknowledging that our strength, our physical and spiritual protection, come from God.
Dear God, how I love being protected by the wings of Your Love! I know how often You protect me from dangers outside me and dangers inside me.
Continually You gather me under Your wings so that I can press my ear to Your Heart beating with love for me.
Protect me from the hatred of my enemies, whoever they may be. And insulate me from my own violent anger and desires for revenge.
Protect me from the freezing lack of love of family members, and those who carelessly abuse me.
Insulate me from the cold numbness creeping into my heart and soul that would make me crawl inside a safe inner shield and fear to love others.
Even the darkness of not knowing what path I am on in life is the shadow of Your protective wings, keeping me safe and still in the darkness so I do not stray onto the wrong path. Knowing that You will always guide me fills me with joy!
Your vibrant wings carry You aloft. Allow me to ride upon those Wings of Your Spirit, to soar with inspiration and enthusiasm so that one day I learn to flap my own wings and fly to the heights of love, joy, and peace where You are. Amen.
Jesus speaks of God as being like a protective mother hen: "Jerusalem...how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!" (Luke 13:34)
If we are like nestlings or chicks, we're probably not even aware of how often our Father-Mother God protects us. Or, like the people of Jerusalem, we can sometimes disdain the very idea of God's - or anybody's - protection. We don't want or need anyone's help.
America is the home of the super-individualist. The macho male or female. For me, this is epitomized by that Frank Sinatra standard "I Did It My Way." Or Peggy Lee's (or Bette Midler's) "I'm A Woman, W-O-M-A-N." Each may be a tribute to the "Self-Made" man or woman and sheer gutsiness. But the idea of being a totally self-made person is an illusion.
Pharrell Williams, the "Happy" guy, said in an interview that he did not become successful by himself. He would not have made it without - and here he named every one of his music teachers. Now that's humble realism.
True humility is acknowledging that our strength, our physical and spiritual protection, come from God.
Dear God, how I love being protected by the wings of Your Love! I know how often You protect me from dangers outside me and dangers inside me.
Continually You gather me under Your wings so that I can press my ear to Your Heart beating with love for me.
Protect me from the hatred of my enemies, whoever they may be. And insulate me from my own violent anger and desires for revenge.
Protect me from the freezing lack of love of family members, and those who carelessly abuse me.
Insulate me from the cold numbness creeping into my heart and soul that would make me crawl inside a safe inner shield and fear to love others.
Even the darkness of not knowing what path I am on in life is the shadow of Your protective wings, keeping me safe and still in the darkness so I do not stray onto the wrong path. Knowing that You will always guide me fills me with joy!
Your vibrant wings carry You aloft. Allow me to ride upon those Wings of Your Spirit, to soar with inspiration and enthusiasm so that one day I learn to flap my own wings and fly to the heights of love, joy, and peace where You are. Amen.
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