The Purple Martens

My neighbor has a purple marten house in her backyard. She recently shared the following story with me, and I thought that I would pass is along.

One morning my neighbors awakened to the blessing of five baby martens perched upon the top of their marten house. Apparently, this was the day designated for them to learn to fly. The four females in the group promptly launched themselves from the safety of their perch, caught the wind and soared to heights yet unknown to their little hearts.

After much frolicking in the breeze, they noticed that the last of their siblings, the lone little male, was still gripping tightly to the bar unable to let go and enjoy the freedom of flight. Periodically, he would flap his wings in an attempt to bolster the courage necessary to take the first plunge into the unknown. But it was only after his beloved sisters returned to his place of fear and fluttered all around his head while chirping incessantly that he was able to overcome his paralysis and finally embrace the call of the wind. He was FLYING!

Even the birds of the air understand the importance of encouragement.

What person is there in your life that, even today, requires your encouragement in order to spread their wings and fly? That encouragement may come in the form of your acceptance of who they are, your forgiveness for what they have done, your gentle push in the direction they should go, or perhaps, just your presence in the midst of their struggle.

May we be found willing and faithful, for the sake of our flightless friends, to flutter and chirp until our wings can beat no more and our song becomes hoarse. That, they too, may soar.