EAGLES IN OVERTIME

EAGLES IN OVERTIME
Monday, January 17, 2022 by Leona Choy

When visitors step through the entrance to my home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, they encounter eagles everywhere. I've named my home “Eagle Summit.” Throughout my house I have framed pictures of eagles in various poses of flight, waiting for the air currents, and hunting. Small statues of eagles in various postures stand on display. Before-and-after pictures of re-cycled senior-age eagles are on the wall in my writing studio. What's with the eagles?

I've been blogging since 2008—and on this present website since 2018. (That's over 780 weeks!) Many of you have been my subscribers since the beginning, so you know about my fascination with the eagle metaphor. However, a large number of my viewers are new in the past few years and haven't a clue about my eagle references. In today's post, I will do a catch-up so we'll all be on the same page.

I chose the eagle motif because I'm intrigued with the references to that bird in the Bible. Also because of the scenic outlook over the woodsy landscape of the valley from the rear deck of my home. Our house is located on the highest point of our subdivision. My “treehouse” looks out over the treetops and stream below. I watch birds in flight on their level and revel in the daily dramatic dawn and sunset panoramas. Every changing season is spectacular from the softly falling snowflakes to the burst of green almost overnight in spring, the full bloom of sultry summer, and the glorious splendor of autumn.

The life cycle of the eagle has been my main point of reference—I take it as an analogy to my life and my calling from God into my current longevity. I've devoted chapters in my published books comparing eagle life with our human life, especially the Christian similarities in the mature stages of the eagle's life cycle.

Psalm 103:5 is the sparkling gem to launch my thoughts, “...my youth is renewed like the eagle....” The aging eagle's season of dramatic renewal enables it to experience a second wind, a surge of vitality to continue its energetic and productive life once again, long after its prime.

In spite of the eagle's diligent daily self-maintenance, the time comes in the life span of this majestic bird when all of its wonderful functions begin to lessen and wear out. It is going through an aging, deteriorating crisis, unable to navigate in the air as it has been accustomed. Its eyes are becoming dim and no longer moist; its talons are not as sharp, and calcium plaque deposits on its beak prevent it from being able to hunt as before. The eagle is losing strength and its feathers are becoming sparse. (Sound familiar?) It is a tired bird!

It could give up and settle down to rest on a canyon floor, just dragging around in its weakness. It will die in the valley if it stays there. The valley is not where God means for eagles to die; moreover, its time to die may not have come yet. When a strong eagle sees the bedraggled, defeated eagle in the canyon, it screams at it and dive-bombs at it with the intention of stirring the eagle up to follow its God-ordained instincts. The old eagle must leave the low places where it is unprotected from its enemies and go to the mountain as God ordained through the instincts He put within it. The time has come when it must "mount up with wings as an eagle" to the highest place it can find, away from everything distracting and remain alone.

The bedraggled eagle finds a high flat rock in full sunshine. For two weeks it works hard to rub and scrape its talons against the rock to sharpen them again. It knocks its beak repeatedly against the rock or a branch to break off the calcium deposits until the old beak crumbles away revealing a renewed one. If necessary, it flies headlong into a rock to accomplish that.

The eagle regularly returns to a fresh stream to drink from the cool water and bathe frequently to get rid of lice, parasites, and mud. All the while it is plucking out its worn feathers until it is nearly naked. This is undoubtedly painful, but its remarkable instinct tells it that this pruning is necessary for renewal. The eagle spends most of its time resting quietly and warming itself in the sun and heavenly breezes.

It renews itself for 40 days until it grows new feathers, and all of its functions are revitalized. Its eyes become clear as a young eagle's again, its talons and beak are restored to sharpness, and its normal strength has returned. God let the bird know that it wasn't finished with the life God planned for it yet.

When the eagle senses that the restoration is complete, it takes off again soaring into the heights, crying loudly with its renewed voice and with the rejuvenated capabilities and strength of a young eagle. Once renewed, it is said that if you see it side by side with a young eagle only a year and a half old, you can't tell the difference. Psalm 103:5 has been demonstrated!

Since I'm in the latter eagle time of longevity myself, I don't want to call my extended years overtime or bonus time, as if it were God’s reluctant afterthought. I view it as a generous, God-planned extension.

How should I invest those extra eagle months or years? Not for my own benefit and sheer, luxurious enjoyment or purposeless retirement, but by carrying forward God's agenda for my life in a God-direction. He will let me know and you too if you are likewise blessed with longevity.

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Comments

Jo Ciaramitaro From MI At 1/23/2022 4:38:00 PM

I love eagles too! I remember this info about the eagle and I find it fascinating and encouraging. Thank you for your research on the eagle. We have much to learn from them.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Good to hear from you. I pray for you as I write this. God knows your need. Is there something you are waiting for that depends on God's due time? Perhaps the YouTube thoughts might be an encouragement. https://youtu.be/TNIYnbj5edw Love, Leona

Noreen From Round Hill, VA At 1/23/2022 4:27:09 PM

Leona, I just left a comment, and I was afraid my email was written incorrectly on it, as I hit submit! So I thought I should correct…..even though I couldn't be sure. ??

Reply by: Leona Choy

Receive them both. Trust the Lord if you encounter something unexpected today. God has your back and has always been faithful.

Noreen From Round Hill, VA At 1/23/2022 4:22:28 PM

I love your description of the eagle and all that he goes through to be renewed. I too live where they are often spotted, and I hope to see one sometime!

Reply by: Leona Choy

It would be a joy to have you visit me sometime, Noreen. As I write this I pray for you. Is there anything that you are waiting for that depends on God's due time? Perhaps the thoughts below in the YouTube may have some meaning to encourage you. https://youtu.be/TNIYnbj5edw Blessings, Leona

Dorothy Daniels From Bloomery WV At 1/22/2022 1:55:08 PM

Thank you for this, Leona. I have printed it out to have available when I need to read it again. Dottie

Reply by: Leona Choy

Thank you for your encouragement, Dottie. I hope your winter is going ok. Is friend Mike over his COVID adventure yet? Perhaps there is something in the following message that will encourage you. Your friend, Leona. "Sal" https://youtu.be/0a8eeH3oYmQ

Dot From Dan At 1/22/2022 12:50:58 PM

Alas, I fear for thee as thou dash thy head against a stone seeking to renew youth. Rest quietly in the shelter of HIS wings and fly home at the appointed time.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Yuu sound so poetic, Baby Dot. Yes, "under His wings I am safely abiding" until we both fly home. Until then, we lean hard on the Lord's strength for our weakness. How is that troublesome knee? Perhaps there is something in the following message that will encourage or motivate you. https://youtu.be/0a8eeH3oYmQ Love, "Sal"

Lindsay Van Sicklen From Arkadelphia AR At 1/18/2022 10:39:22 AM

Loved reading this post. Created a picture in my mind of your home along with a new appreciation for eagles.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Dear fellow eagle, to be renewed like the eagle we must do some plucking out of our old feathers before they can be replaced by the new. That requires some evaluation of priorities in our advanced calendar years, but is well worth while

Ivan Leaman From Landis Homes At 1/18/2022 9:32:48 AM

Leona, I still remember with pleasure when we met at the Ambassadors for Christ in Paradise when the new guest house was opened and we sat to visit in your room! I loved your today's post on eagles. I am 89 and I know the effects of aging on my body and I want to claim the promise of being renewed.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Of course I too remember with delight. Please send me your new mailing address.I want to send you a gift copy of my recent book WILL WE NEED CELL PHONES IN HEAVEN? So relevant to all your friends at Landis Homes. Hopefully you can share it after reading or tell others where to order it. P.S. I'll send a second loaning copy, ok?

Pat Christ From At 1/18/2022 8:59:51 AM

Thank you for this inspiring aging Eagle report as I celebrate my 75th on this very day. A very good encouragement for this aging eagle! Somehow most all of my kids and grands and several others gathered to celebrate this occasion with me at Shady Maple. May I take your 'old eagle' report to ?!

Reply by: Leona Choy

Happy Birthday Pat,Yes, you are a being-renewed-eagle. You are still young--I am 22 years ahead of you. Your witness to the members of your family counts heavily. The young ones see your steadfastness in the faith and will remember it. Be encouraged and challenged by this prayer; https://youtu.be/KnRaP7Wso7Y Have a blessed day!

Rhea Tantlinger From TN At 1/18/2022 5:53:12 AM

Oh Leona I am so very happy to have met you. You are such an amazing woman.

Reply by: Leona Choy

Walk closely with Jesus today, Rhea, He will fill all the emptiness in your life, Today is a fresh new day to experience His presence. Listen to this prayer and remain faithful to Him. He will renew you like the eagle. https://youtu.be/KnRaP7Wso7Y Your friend, Leona

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