Today’s Daily Bread ~ The Decorah Eagles

Psalm 91:4 – He will shield you with His wings.  He will shelter you with His feathers.  His faithful promises are you armor and protection.

I have become addicted to reality television.  Not The Bachelor, or Keeping Up With the Kardashians.  I’m not watching The Real Housewives of the OC, DC or NYC.  I have no interest in MTV’s version of The Real World.  But I can’t seem to take my eyes off of the Decorah Eagles Nest Cam.

A girlfriend of mine introduced me to it awhile back, and since then, I have stayed faithfully tuned in, watching the mama eagle feed and nurture her young.  The kids and I find it riveting.

Since discovering the website, I’ve learned quite a bit about eagles.  For instance, they have over 7000 feathers.  The feathers are made out of keratin, just like hair and nails.  They are incredibly strong, even stronger than the bird’s bones, which are hollow.  They are perfectly designed for any temperature.  The same feathers that keep the eagle’s body warm during the frigid winter months also keep them from overheating through the summer.  For this reason, eagles don’t migrate.

Eagles mate for life.  They also tend to keep the same residence.  While a typical nest spans five feet in diameter, some grow to up to nine, weighing approximately two tons. 

You don’t want to mess with a mother eagle’s chicks.

During the 35 days of incubation, both parents share the “egg-sitting,” but it’s the mama who spends the majority of the time in the nest.  Once the eggs hatch, she seldom, if ever, leaves during the first few weeks.  The papa does the hunting.  The female will then take the carcass, tear off shreds of food for the chicks, and try for hours to get them to eat.  Anything the babies don’t take, she eats, before gently trying again.

I woke up early one morning, padded downstairs in my slippered feet, poured a cup of coffee and turned on my favorite show – the eagles.  It appeared as though Mama was alone in the nest, until I heard the faint sound of chirping.  Mama roused herself and stood up.  The babies were nestled in, snug, beneath her wings.

Psalm 121:3-4 – He will not let you stumble and fall; the One who watches over you will not sleep.  Indeed, He who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps.

As I type, I have the eagles on and am listening for any development.  An hour and a half ago, when I first pulled up the website, Mama was sleeping peacefully, chicks tucked in beside her, now too big to fit beneath her wings.

Suddenly, something I couldn’t see caused her head to jerk up.  As I watched, she stood and made a threatening sound.  Stay away, she seemed to say.  I will fight to the death to protect my chicks.

Eventually she sat back down, but at this very moment is still wide awake, keeping watch.  The two bodies of her young softly rise and fall, oblivious to any potential threat.  They sleep, tightly pressed against their mother, who stays alert.

Psalm 36:7 – How precious is your unfailing love, O God!  All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

A few moments ago, one of her young ones suddenly stretched out one wing, as though checking to see if its mother was nearby.  Mama expanded her impressive wings, and gathered her children closer.

How precious, to think that God holds us as close.  His mighty wings are outstretched far, gathering us in.  The baby eagles are unfazed by whatever it is that keeps their mother awake.  Your Heavenly Father invites you to lay your burdens down and trust with that same, simple faith.  He will provide for your every need.  He keeps watch while you sleep.  He is always weaving His tapestry together; always orchestrating every event under Heaven with impeccable timing.  You are the apple of His eye (Deut. 32:10), His most prized possession.  His plan for You is still unfolding.  Close your eyes and snuggle in to the One who watches over you tenderly, tirelessly.  The One who cherishes you, treasures you, delights in you.  The One who loves you enough to send His Son to die for you.

Psalm 91:1-2 – Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him.

God, we love You so much.  How is it that You love us like You do?  Even in our darkest moments of disobedience You are always there, beckoning us back with sweet words of mercy.  You shower us with grace and bathe us in kindness.  We are so undeserving, yet You never cease to pour out Your love on us.  Father, help us to show this kind of love to the world.  Help us to love with a love that can change things.  Touch our hearts, that we might grow in mercy and compassion.  Bless our hands and feet that we might be quick to serve those in need.  Let us never grow weary of doing good.  Give us wisdom and knowledge.  Help us to delight in Your ways and walk in Your will.  Increase our faith exponentially.  We ask these things in the blessed name of the One who paid our debts; Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.