<span style="font-family: Calibri;font-size: small">In the carport are some shelves that store old cans of paint, odds and ends, and needs-to-be-sorted-out junk.  Behind this assorted barrier, several families of small birds have built condos for raising families and sheltering from the cold.  Last spring, God sent me a visual aid through a couple of feathered babies.</span>

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;font-size: small">They sat in the middle of the carport, eyes wide with terror, unable to move even when I got near enough to touch them.  Obviously this was their first or second flying lesson.  They had figured out how to get down, but not back up to home.  And now here was this giant with no Mama bird in sight.  I went back in the house, and when I looked out the door in a few hours, they were gone (hopefully not as some four-legged beastie’s lunch).</span>

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;font-size: small">Almost two years ago, our youngest son moved seven hours away to start life on his own.  In addition to being in the Marine reserves, he added college, a part-time job, and adult responsibilities like paying rent, cooking, and living with his lover and her child.  The stress was huge from the beginning, and increased dramatically over the last year as their relationship disintegrated.  Now he’s got to find a place to live, but can’t afford an apartment without a roommate.  Due to monthly Marine drill and college, moving back here isn’t an option.  He’s stuck where he is for now – sitting in the carport, eyes wide with fear, unable to fly.</span>

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<span style="font-family: Calibri;font-size: small">And this Mama can’t help him, and wouldn’t rescue him if I could.  He took some big risks and much of what he’s experienced has been painful.  At the moment, he’s surrounded by giant obstacles that seem insurmountable, and both of us are afraid he might end up living in his car.  His job is to make the best of things and try to find his own solutions.  My job is to encourage him, pray like crazy…and let go.  Because if I don’t, he’ll never learn to fly.  But God it’s hard. </span>

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<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">Long-Distance Love</span></span>

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<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">Absolutely helpless to stop</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">the coming catastrophe</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">I can’t alter one iota</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">or offer any solace</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">that makes any sense</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">to the life of one I love</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">going down without a trace.</span></span>

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<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">I can see his face</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">in the long-distance line,</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">hear the terror from entrapment,</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">all escape routes closed.</span></span>

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<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">I knew this was coming</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">before it even began – </span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">a risk he had to make</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">in adult-sized plans</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">with gambler’s odds against him</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">that I had to let happen</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">so he could learn that life isn’t fair,</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">especially for the foolish,</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">but failure isn’t final,</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">though it feels that way.</span></span>

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<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">I have to let him sink without rescue</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">and let his hopes die,</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">trusting God to take care of him</span></span>

<span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Calibri">when I can’t.</span></span>

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