Since writing of how God spoke to me at
Hebron Hall, that I was still to run the race, the Lord has opened a door for
me to move to a beautiful flat in sheltered accommodation. It all happened so
swiftly and very surely. A new home! No, God did not want me to give up on my
ministries, or think about my declining health but rather to face a new chapter
in my life.
We had named our home in Hawkhurst Court
Hafan Deg, - Fair Haven. Now I needed a name for this beautiful flat on the top
floor of Stoneleigh Court, with double aspect views across the roof tops to the
mountains, while just along the corridor I could see across to the harbour. I
found myself referring to my ‘Eagle’s Nest.’
The last time God spoke to me about the
eagle’s nest was when my beloved Joel had died. After five years in the
ministry together, retired, we were settled into our own ‘Fair Haven.’
Re-tyred, we said, for you never retire from God’s service, but we did not
expect any more moves until it was upward, and we were hoping to make this move
together.
But unexpectedly, Joel preceded me to
heaven. That was fourteen years ago, and it was then that the lesson of the
eagle spoke strongly into my heart. I learned how the parent eagle, in order to
encourage his young to fly, will gradually break up the nest that had been the
eaglet’s security so that he must launch out and learn to use his wings. Now I
felt the lovely cosy nest we had built together had been broken, and so I must
launch out to trust the strong currents of God’s love.
But this eagle has been getting older. So
many times I have had to remind myself of God’s promise that they who wait on
the Lord will renew their strength, mount up with wings as eagles…. And walk
and not faint. Yet my strength was declining.
But God had shown me very clearly that I
was not to give up on my ministries, and now he has given me a two bedroom flat
in a sheltered complex, where I have a study for my writing and room to store
all my teaching aids as well as a lounge/diner and bedroom, a safe, secure nest
where I can still welcome my friends.
Waiting for the completion date, so that I
can move in, I am already calling it my
‘Eagle's Nest,’ for it is on the top floor and, with dual aspect, I can see over
the roof tops to the mountains.
We don’t have to fear declining health as
old age creeps up on us, but God has put eternity in our hearts and he has
never finished with us. We are missionaries wherever we are, and we can still
rise up with wings as eagles.
Yes, I am down- sizing, but most of all I
am laying up treasure in heaven. That needs to be the priority for us all,
doesn’t it? I have always tried to
travel light since I first moved with my parents from our five bedroom family
home into a bungalow, but especially as I set out for Papua New Guinea, but it
is amazing how year after year we accumulate ‘stuff’ which needs to be thrown
out. As the years pass and circumstances change, we have a different view of
our treasures.
I had been thinking of parting with many
of my teaching aids, but no. God may yet renew my youth and open doors. But
meanwhile I must always remember that it is Christ who is my treasure and he
told us, ‘Where your treasure is there will your heart be,’ – so, while I am
enjoying my eagle's nest, and you the home God has provided you, we must seek
each day to lay up treasure in heaven.
I don’t know the author, but it was Mrs
Charles Cowman’s favourite poem, and mine too, and so I will copy it hear and
pray it will bless you too as we enter this New Year,
My heart
is there!
Where, on eternal hills, my loved
one dwells
Among the lilies and the
asphodels;
Clad in the brightness of the
Great White Throne,
Glad in the smile of Him who sits
thereon,
The glory gilding all His wealth
of hair
And making His immortal face more
fair –
THERE IS MY TREASURE and my heart
is there.
My heart
is there!
With Him who made all earthly
life so sweet,
So fit to live, and yet to die so
meet;
So mild, so grand, so gentle and
so brave,
So ready to forgive, so strong to
save.
His fair, pure Spirit makes the
heavens more fair,
And thither rises all my longing
prayer –
THERE IS MY TREASURE and my heart
is there.
