Temperance Renee Cross-Jackson

Eagles Buzzards and Parrots

I love Birds. I love watching them as they fly free and glide through the skies. My favorite is the Eagle, one that I could watch hours on end. I have found that people are like some birds I know, especially in recovery. There are three that come to mind right away- Eagles, Buzzards and Parrots. The Eagle is an awesome bird. You can find an Eagles soaring on winds high in the air. They actually get on top of hot air currents and literally soar for hours. One reason they do this is to avoid the harassing smaller birds below. Eagles mate for life. They take risk in getting their food- you rarely ever see an eagle eating anything dead (carrion). The whole ritual of how a female Eagle attracts a mate is amazing. The female drops a stick and if the male eagle catches the stick before it hits the ground- he is chosen as a mate. Why? the saying "being pushed out the eagles nest" is true. They push their young out of the nest teaching them to fly and before they hit the ground the father catches them before they hit- thus one of the characteristics a female looks for in a mate – "If he can catch this stick- he can catch my baby!" You never see eagles traveling in packs- they are used to being alone and searching for food for their family. As I mentioned- they are committed to each other for life. I know some eagle Christians. They have had an impact in my life over the years. They have soared high-where sometimes it gets very lonely but where they have remained outside of the "do and believe what everybody else does" arena. They have encouraged me tremendously in every area of recovery. The buzzard of course speaks for itself. Buzzards are always in packs. Many times you will find them sitting on the fence or circling over head, waiting for something to die. They don't want to take a risk and get food- they prefer to eat dead stuff! You will find buzzard people every where (even in the church!) they will stifle your recovery and keep you from getting to where you need to go. The last bird is the parrot or parakeet. Although very pretty and cute the Parrott isn't a very adventurous bird. Parrotts are content on staying in the cage; maybe every now and then they will make a flight across the room but nothing that will take a risk. Parrots only repeat what they hear amusing their owners and all that hear them. I know some people like that- they know all the recovery jargon, they can pontificate (been waiting to use that word!) so eloquently about what you and I need to do, but they never get past the knowledge. They are described in Paul letter to Timothy "…ever learning but never coming to the knowledge (2 Tim 2:17) Give parrot Christians basic bird seed and they are ok. No risk, No stepping out of the comfort zone!

If you look at the picture above you really can't tell the buzzard in the middle from a distance. Knowing an eagle Christian involves getting up close-not just watching from a distance. You can get fooled by just looking up in the sky and thinking a buzzard is an eagle! My desire is to fly and soar like the eagle Christian God made me and called me to be. It is my prayer that's your desire also.

Reflection:
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)
³¹ But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Think about some of the Eagle Christians in your life? How have they made a difference in your life? In your Recovery?
What are you doing to keep away from the buzzards of life?