Life Is Fragile

Life Is Fragile…

One day as I was exploring the Grand Canyon I came across a young bald eagle with a broken pinion on it’s left wing. He was scared and was flapping around making all kinds of noise. I carefully wrapped my shirt around him and carried him home where, with my grandfathers help, I was able to splint the broken pinion.

Grandfather instructed me on how to care for my young patient and I put him in a small coop. Everyday for about two months I gave him food and water. Then I talked to him and explained he would be just fine, that soon I would remove the bandage and send him on his way. After the first two weeks he actually looked for me to come and talk to him. I don’t know if he understood what I was saying, but we became close friends.

It was bittersweet when the time came to release him because I became so close to him, but when he flew up and around landing about six feet from me, he looked in my eye and we knew it was time. He flew off in the direction of the canyon happy as an eagle could be.

Grandfather said I saved his life. He said life is very fragile and everything we do to preserve one is an act of God, He told me God put that eagle in my path to see just what I would do. You had choice to leave him for the wolves or bring him home and help heal him. You made the right choice and God will bless you for your kindness.

Over the years I have taken many animals home for refuge and healing, maybe this why I love animals so much. But I never forgot what grandfather told me about just how fragile life is and how little it takes to make one better. I learned that it is not just the animals, but also human life we must care for.

Life is a gift from God and our job, as Christians, is to preserve life as much as we can and to do what we can to help others. Either through prayer or by random acts of kindness we should do what we can to make things better.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

One of my readers recently asked my thoughts of how to pray for the very sick who have illnesses that there is little reasonable hope of recovery. We pray for recovery, or that God’s will be done, knowing it is within God’s power to heal, but knowing that even among the most deserving Christians, recovery from the most dreaded diseases is seldom granted, perhaps because it’s time for them to go ‘home’.

I responded as follows: When I pray for the sick I ask for peace and comfort. I also ask that there be no pain. We don’t know God’s will or His time table, but we do know He’s doing what is best for the person who is sick. For this reason, though I don’t always agree with the answer, I learned not to question His wisdom in doing things. In the end there is always a blessing. I also pray for the family asking for patience and understanding along with peace knowing He will do what is best. Life is fragile, but we have strength through God’s blessing and understanding. Believe me He knows the pain we are going through watching a loved one work through the illness.

The truth is God is in control! He knows what we need, even if we don’t think we need it. He provides for our needs, He supplies our strength, and He gives us life. I learned at an early age not to question His wisdom, for He has led me through many problems and life altering situations. I know I can trust Him.

I often wonder why so many still question this. I hear thoughts like why did God allow this to happen or if God did this… God has His reasons and even if we don’t understand why, He will let us know in His time. Learn to trust Him and to involve Him in all your activities, then the answers won’t seem so far away.

Life is fragile – Whatever you do for the least of these… We all are the least of these and should care for each other. We need to pick each other up when we fall and encourage each other in all things. Love others as God has loved you.

What are your thoughts on this? I would love to read them and will respond to all courteous comments. As always, if you don’t want your comment public, feel free to email them to me at: Efchristi2@yahoo.com

God bless you all.

Ed