Two weeks ago I mentioned my sister’s “significant” birthday. This last weekend we all celebrated together near where she lives in Chinnor, Oxfordshire. The following morning my husband and I walked along the Ridgeway Walk and up onto the top of the Chiltern Hills. We were nearing the end of our walk and as we gazed up into the sky several red kites swooped overhead – so close we could almost see the whites of their eyes! My husband, who is a far better photographer than I, with a much more superior camera, managed to get a close-up photo. I pointed my phone vaguely in the direction I thought the bird was flying and snapped the photo you have with this TFTD. Without looking at it, I commented that it would be good to get a photo of this majestic bird and the air-plane that was flying overhead. (I think we were probably on the flight path for Heathrow).
Once I got back to my sister’s and looked at the photos I’d taken, there it was, the red kite soaring on thermals, and a vapour trail from an air-plane travelling 1000s of feet further up.
I am reminded of course of that wonderful verse from Isaiah 40:31 “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not go weary, they will walk and not faint.”
I’ve no idea where those people were travelling to on that plane high up in the sky. Their journey was made easy with the help of a large metal bird, and competent fully trained ground and air crew. That red kite soaring on the thermals way below them but just above my head made it look easy, and even made it look joyful. I’m guessing once a bird catches the thermals, it can, for a time simply let the airstream carry it, then it’s strength is renewed. This allows them to travel further, helps to prevent them growing weary.
As we finished our walk, we both felt refreshed, uplifted, and what a perfect end to our weekend to imagining “soaring on wings like eagles!”
Prayer: Creator God, thank you that we have the means to travel around the world. Thank you also that we can walk and not grow faint, that we can renew our strength on the hills and fields around us. Thank you that when we put our trust in you, we can rely on the thermals of your Holy Spirit, carrying us and lifting us. AMEN