When the Robin Sings Its Okay
Seventeen days ago I was standing in the foyer of a large hotel in Toronto, Ontario. It was at a large conference where many men and women met together to be encouraged and also do business for the organization we all belong to. There were over 1000 delegates and a total of almost 2000 people attending. It was like a small city to describe it simply.
In front of me was an old friend of mine. His name is Harold. He and I are about the same age. We do the same work as ministers. And we work not that far away from each other. I have known him since 1976 – 32 years of friendship. His father followed me as Pastor of a church in Walkerton, Ontario. I respect this man greatly.
He asked me how it was going. My answer was light as we began to speak. I told him that I had about 331 days left before I was able to collect money from the government – referring to my now possible retirement. He laughed and told me that he thought I would never retire. The banter between us went back and forth for a while as we talked.
Then he said, “I am three years older than you are, and I am not even thinking of the R WORD. I am going to keep going as long as my health holds up.” My reply was, “God bless you my friend!”
This week a darkness settled on me when I heard a report shared with me about my friend.
Last week he suffered a terrible pain in his chest. It came rather quickly. He was taken to the hospital early on May 16 – 9 days after we spoke in the hotel foyer.
Rather than trying to weave the story for you in my words… I am letting Harold share his words with you….
Quote from Harold’s email…
“Friday morning I awoke early with pain on the left side of my chest. It didn’t go away and got worse so we called 911. I then had my first trip in an ambulance. At the end of the day tests showed I had blood clots in both my lungs and that was the source of my pain. So here I am (Tuesday) on blood thinners. I have had four CAT scans as the medical people try to determine the source of the clots. They have been up front with us and have indicated that one of the possible sources is cancer. We are trusting the Lord for whatever outcome. I would prefer not to have cancer and whatever that would entail for us, but it is not my will but HIS will that must prevail. Both Yvonne and I are confident that God who has called us will sustain us as He has done again and again through our lives. He told the Apostle Paul – “My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness.”
Thank you for all your prayers for us during this time of challenge. The medical staff here is quite impressed with all the support I have and I trust that one of the outcomes of this time of testing will be people brought into the Kingdom by the Spirit’s witness through my life.
In my devotional reading yesterday these verses from The Message – Psalm 116:10 & 11 stood out to me: “I said to myself, ‘Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you’ve been rescued from death; Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling. I’m striding in the presence of God, alive in the land of the living!’”
HALLELUJAH! I’m writing this from the hospital, but in spirit “I’m striding in the presence of God”. He never leaves us or forsakes us! Both Yvonne and I are at peace with whatever outcome He determines for us.” ~ end quote.
Then another email arrived from his son… It stated – quote…
“At this point our main message is: "Harold has cancer in his bones but they will be doing further tests to determine if it has spread from another area, possibly his lungs."”
I was almost numb as I read the emails sent my way. Suddenly my friend is stricken with a terrible and possibly life threatening disease. His vibrancy and ability is seemingly gone in one stroke of time. His words rang clear in my ears…
“I am three years older than you are, and I am not even thinking of the R WORD. I am going to keep going as long as my health holds up.”
The word ‘cancer’ is a frightening one our world. Along with it comes dark nights and terrible days of fear. That happens for the person that has been diagnosed as well as the family around them. As a minister I see it all too often. So has my friend Harold.
Personally as I have tried to process the information about my friend Harold it has not been easy. A darkness has covered the thoughts. Senses of uncertainty and feelings of fear are there inside my own thoughts. What if it was me? What if…?
This morning early I went out on our deck to just listen. It was still dark. There was only a hint of daylight coming. The moon shone brightly in the dark sky. The sky being clear had hundreds of stars twinkling. It is amazing at 4:30 AM what is going on outside.
From the tree in our yard at top branch there came a crystal clear message of hope for me. There at the top of his lung power was a Robin. I couldn’t see him – but I HEARD HIM! He was singing his little heart out – making music for all he was worth. It was amazing to listen to…I stood still and savoured the sound.
Though it was still very dark…and the world was far away…here he was shouting loudly – “THERE IS A NEW DAY COMING – WAKE UP EVERYBODY – WAKE UP!”
I began to smile as I listened. He had a personal message to deliver and no one would be able to silence him. No one would tell him that its still dark outside – “Go back to bed you silly Robin!” He had a job to do.
When you study a Robin’s life cycle and ways you find some interesting things about this beautiful little bird. It is the ‘Daddy’ Robin that sings his heart felt song. He does this as his mate is sitting on a nest. She has laid the eggs which will become their new family soon. There she sits on the four small, blue eggs somewhere high in our tree – waiting for four little ones to come along. He is not far away and is telling the world ~ “Hey, I am going to be a father soon…wake up…wake up…I AM HAPPY!”
A study was done a while ago on a Robin’s song. It was found that his song is for a purpose. That purpose is to let his new babies know that he is there. Even before they are born they hear the song and voice of their daddy. Some one actually tracked this song with some hi-tech equipment. They found that the song of a Daddy Robin is duplicated in his kids. From the very beginning he is stating he is there and they should know his voice.
Another simple factor is that the Mommy Robin is in need of food and support. While she is on the nest she waits and waits. His song is not only happy – it is supportive! When the babies arrive in a few weeks it will take both Daddy and Mommy to feed these starving offspring. Every waking moment they will be busy supporting their kids.
For now…early this morning when it was the darkest….Mommy Robin was reassured by her Daddy – I am still here and I am supporting you through every thing that will happen today.
I have noticed each morning this week that he has been at work early – even through that last darkness of the night. Supportive. Encouraging. Strengthening. Not seen but heard and very close by.
As I stood this morning and listened these thoughts drifted around me.
God is like this Robin. He sings out his best when we need it the most. His song is louder than the darkness and much, much stronger than fear.
God is singing outside my life’s door today. He is doing the same for Harold.
Do you need a new song? Do you need help? Are you in serious trouble? The answer is likely a solid and hearty “YES”!
The good news is – YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I have found this so very true.
My prayer for you is…
Heavenly Father, I am asking at this time that you would encourage the people that read this. When they are worried, sad, frustrated, frightened, and feel they can go no further… sing a song for them. Lord may they hear all the different ways that you encourage me. May they not only hear but also see. Father I ask that they will be greatly blessed today in their most difficult time. And you now Father…I am asking you to do this because there is no one else, no other God that will do it the way that you can… Oh boy am I excited for my friends that have read this far!
And Lord today I ask for my friend Harold… he and his wife need a special gift of healing to be delivered to their home this week.
Finally Lord…thanks for the tremendous feeling of joy that you have let me have! What a wonderful gift it was. When I unwrapped it yesterday I laughed a for a long time. It was absolutely perfect! Thank you for that GIFT – it will look good in our home.
And Lord if it is okay with you… I am going to give most of that gift away today. I have met some people that really need it.
Thanks.
Your friend,
Murray
In front of me was an old friend of mine. His name is Harold. He and I are about the same age. We do the same work as ministers. And we work not that far away from each other. I have known him since 1976 – 32 years of friendship. His father followed me as Pastor of a church in Walkerton, Ontario. I respect this man greatly.
He asked me how it was going. My answer was light as we began to speak. I told him that I had about 331 days left before I was able to collect money from the government – referring to my now possible retirement. He laughed and told me that he thought I would never retire. The banter between us went back and forth for a while as we talked.
Then he said, “I am three years older than you are, and I am not even thinking of the R WORD. I am going to keep going as long as my health holds up.” My reply was, “God bless you my friend!”
This week a darkness settled on me when I heard a report shared with me about my friend.
Last week he suffered a terrible pain in his chest. It came rather quickly. He was taken to the hospital early on May 16 – 9 days after we spoke in the hotel foyer.
Rather than trying to weave the story for you in my words… I am letting Harold share his words with you….
Quote from Harold’s email…
“Friday morning I awoke early with pain on the left side of my chest. It didn’t go away and got worse so we called 911. I then had my first trip in an ambulance. At the end of the day tests showed I had blood clots in both my lungs and that was the source of my pain. So here I am (Tuesday) on blood thinners. I have had four CAT scans as the medical people try to determine the source of the clots. They have been up front with us and have indicated that one of the possible sources is cancer. We are trusting the Lord for whatever outcome. I would prefer not to have cancer and whatever that would entail for us, but it is not my will but HIS will that must prevail. Both Yvonne and I are confident that God who has called us will sustain us as He has done again and again through our lives. He told the Apostle Paul – “My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness.”
Thank you for all your prayers for us during this time of challenge. The medical staff here is quite impressed with all the support I have and I trust that one of the outcomes of this time of testing will be people brought into the Kingdom by the Spirit’s witness through my life.
In my devotional reading yesterday these verses from The Message – Psalm 116:10 & 11 stood out to me: “I said to myself, ‘Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you’ve been rescued from death; Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling. I’m striding in the presence of God, alive in the land of the living!’”
HALLELUJAH! I’m writing this from the hospital, but in spirit “I’m striding in the presence of God”. He never leaves us or forsakes us! Both Yvonne and I are at peace with whatever outcome He determines for us.” ~ end quote.
Then another email arrived from his son… It stated – quote…
“At this point our main message is: "Harold has cancer in his bones but they will be doing further tests to determine if it has spread from another area, possibly his lungs."”
I was almost numb as I read the emails sent my way. Suddenly my friend is stricken with a terrible and possibly life threatening disease. His vibrancy and ability is seemingly gone in one stroke of time. His words rang clear in my ears…
“I am three years older than you are, and I am not even thinking of the R WORD. I am going to keep going as long as my health holds up.”
The word ‘cancer’ is a frightening one our world. Along with it comes dark nights and terrible days of fear. That happens for the person that has been diagnosed as well as the family around them. As a minister I see it all too often. So has my friend Harold.
Personally as I have tried to process the information about my friend Harold it has not been easy. A darkness has covered the thoughts. Senses of uncertainty and feelings of fear are there inside my own thoughts. What if it was me? What if…?
This morning early I went out on our deck to just listen. It was still dark. There was only a hint of daylight coming. The moon shone brightly in the dark sky. The sky being clear had hundreds of stars twinkling. It is amazing at 4:30 AM what is going on outside.
From the tree in our yard at top branch there came a crystal clear message of hope for me. There at the top of his lung power was a Robin. I couldn’t see him – but I HEARD HIM! He was singing his little heart out – making music for all he was worth. It was amazing to listen to…I stood still and savoured the sound.
Though it was still very dark…and the world was far away…here he was shouting loudly – “THERE IS A NEW DAY COMING – WAKE UP EVERYBODY – WAKE UP!”
I began to smile as I listened. He had a personal message to deliver and no one would be able to silence him. No one would tell him that its still dark outside – “Go back to bed you silly Robin!” He had a job to do.
When you study a Robin’s life cycle and ways you find some interesting things about this beautiful little bird. It is the ‘Daddy’ Robin that sings his heart felt song. He does this as his mate is sitting on a nest. She has laid the eggs which will become their new family soon. There she sits on the four small, blue eggs somewhere high in our tree – waiting for four little ones to come along. He is not far away and is telling the world ~ “Hey, I am going to be a father soon…wake up…wake up…I AM HAPPY!”
A study was done a while ago on a Robin’s song. It was found that his song is for a purpose. That purpose is to let his new babies know that he is there. Even before they are born they hear the song and voice of their daddy. Some one actually tracked this song with some hi-tech equipment. They found that the song of a Daddy Robin is duplicated in his kids. From the very beginning he is stating he is there and they should know his voice.
Another simple factor is that the Mommy Robin is in need of food and support. While she is on the nest she waits and waits. His song is not only happy – it is supportive! When the babies arrive in a few weeks it will take both Daddy and Mommy to feed these starving offspring. Every waking moment they will be busy supporting their kids.
For now…early this morning when it was the darkest….Mommy Robin was reassured by her Daddy – I am still here and I am supporting you through every thing that will happen today.
I have noticed each morning this week that he has been at work early – even through that last darkness of the night. Supportive. Encouraging. Strengthening. Not seen but heard and very close by.
As I stood this morning and listened these thoughts drifted around me.
God is like this Robin. He sings out his best when we need it the most. His song is louder than the darkness and much, much stronger than fear.
God is singing outside my life’s door today. He is doing the same for Harold.
Do you need a new song? Do you need help? Are you in serious trouble? The answer is likely a solid and hearty “YES”!
The good news is – YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I have found this so very true.
My prayer for you is…
Heavenly Father, I am asking at this time that you would encourage the people that read this. When they are worried, sad, frustrated, frightened, and feel they can go no further… sing a song for them. Lord may they hear all the different ways that you encourage me. May they not only hear but also see. Father I ask that they will be greatly blessed today in their most difficult time. And you now Father…I am asking you to do this because there is no one else, no other God that will do it the way that you can… Oh boy am I excited for my friends that have read this far!
And Lord today I ask for my friend Harold… he and his wife need a special gift of healing to be delivered to their home this week.
Finally Lord…thanks for the tremendous feeling of joy that you have let me have! What a wonderful gift it was. When I unwrapped it yesterday I laughed a for a long time. It was absolutely perfect! Thank you for that GIFT – it will look good in our home.
And Lord if it is okay with you… I am going to give most of that gift away today. I have met some people that really need it.
Thanks.
Your friend,
Murray
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Saturday, May 24, 2008
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