Ready To Fly

It may have come early for some, late for others.  For a majority it comes with the arrival of the college years. Most of us clearly remember our first flight from our childhood nest.  As a young 18 year old the sky is the limit. How thrilling it is to be in a new dorm, still emitting fumes from fresh paint and newly cleaned carpet. It is a time of independence and discovery.  Freedom, new friends, optional classes, liberal teachers, and no boundaries can create quite an enticing atmosphere.  Cleaving to an image of adulthood, yet lacking a majority of experience can result in quite a flight. Eventually new and shiny does fade.  Reality and consequence grab hold of our feet and we realize that even new becomes ordinary and many paths have uphill climbs.

When our children leave the nest we see this departure with eyes of wisdom and experience. We carry scars and wounds from our own fledgling flights which resulted in bad landings and close calls. Youth just aims for the sky and trusts that their delicate wings will keep them from the ground, even if only for a few minutes at a time. Parents delight in the flight of their young. The memory of the adventure and the zest for life are thrilling. As the seasoned aerialist knows, part of the thrill comes from the simple fact that ignorance is bliss. How hard will they fall? What scars and wounds will they carry? Has the preparation for flight been enough? As they spring forward from the nest you both cheer and reach out to hold them at the same time.  Why is it that the first motion almost always seems to be that of dropping like a rock and then at last, flight?

There is a great inward focus on the part of the fledgling before first flight; a preparatory compression that takes place while gathering strength and courage to spring forth from the comfort and familiarity of the nest. For the fledgling this seems natural, for the parent it is odd and causes pain. It is one of those seasons where, like the priests who stepped into the flooded waters of the Jordan while holding the ark as the Israelites passed  by, you must get your feet wet, raise your hands in prayer and trust God to lead you through it. God is faithful. He goes with our children where we can’t go. He knows their thoughts, their hearts and the plans He has for them. He will work all things together for good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose.  We can trust Him with this great work. “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:24.