"If You Can't Let Go, You'll Never Soar"

By Pastor Sharron Scott
March 2011

Illustrated by Terri Sue Taylor

This is the story, given to me by God, which inspired the name for our ministry.

They itched, and he couldn't help but chew on the shafts that encased the newly formed feathers that would someday make flight possible. 

“It’s such a very long way down….what if my feathers aren’t shaped right? What if my wings aren't strong enough? I don’t think today is the day for me to try to fly.” And so the little bird climbed back down, feeling like a failure, and accepted food from his loving mother and father. He cuddled up next to his mother, and dozed contentedly.

 Several days had gone by, and he once again stepped out onto the edge of the nest. He realized that the speck he saw flitting around in the distance was his VERY OWN BROTHER! ‘Wow! He’s having a blast, the little bird thought. Someday, but not today.’ He murmured under his breath, as he stepped back down into the nest. He waited for his mother and father to arrive with his next meal, but they did not come.

 Much later that day his father came with a giant, fat worm. He gave it to his dear companion. She gulped it down gratefully, and settled in for a nap. ‘What’s this?!’ the fledgling bird exclaimed. ‘Where’s MY food?’

 “Not today, son” his mother answered. Stunned, he walked around in the nest and tried to find a morsel left over. There wasn't anything to be found. He stepped onto the edge of the nest to broaden his search. His father unceremoniously SHOVED him!!! He held on for his dear life, falling over the edge of the nest.

 “What’d you do THAT for???!!!” he yelled. But by that time his father was flying off into the distance. Once again he settled into the nest, disgruntled but trying to sleep. He was chilly, because he realized he was totally alone.

 The next morning he woke with a start. His mother was looking at him, as if he was supposed to be doing something.

 “What?” he asked, in typical kid style. She shook her head, and to his amazement, she BEGAN SHOVING HIM TOWARD THE EDGE OF THE NEST!!”

 “Son,” she said. “Look at the beauty of the world. Out there is where your adventure lies. That is where your next meal is. That is where your mate is. That is where there are incredible and exciting gusts of wind that will carry you to heights you never before imagined! It’s time you saw for yourself. It’s your destiny.”

 He inched toward the edge again, and peered out. “But….but….but” he stammered. “Now, son…” his mother said gently, “there are always more excuses and fear only leads to death.” She nudged him again.

 He began to flap his wings, but held on to the carefully interwoven twigs that constructed the nest he had known all his little life. “This is FUN!!” he laughed, glancing at his mom. “That’s nothing…watch this! His brother called out to him, as he suddenly flew by at what seemed like the speed of light. His mother seemed to puff up with pride as she watched him speed by.

 The little bird ducked, and cowered back. But at his mother’s insistence, he once again stepped out onto the edge of the nest. “It’s time, son. I believe in you.” She gently but persistently nudged him again.

 He began to flap his wings, harder and faster. “Look, mom, I’m doing it!!!” he cried out excitedly, still holding frantically onto the twigs at the edge of the nest. His mother chuckled, and then jumped off the edge, soaring off into the sky before him.

 “Wait, mom….wait!” he cried, flapping harder. Soon he became discouraged, and turned around only to see the nest that had been his life. He realized that his mother and brother were not coming back. He began to cry, and because it was getting dark, he once again squatted down in the nest. After a while he dozed off.

 Early the next morning he woke to see he was still alone. He realized that it wasn't the same. Without his family there it was cold. He also realized that it was getting kind of smelly, with no one there to clean the nest. He was having to lay in his own yukky mess he had created. He was hungry, and scared. He realized that the only one who could help him was himself. Today he would HAVE to fly.

 He stood up, stretched out each wing as far as he could, then stretched his neck. Then he stretched his legs. After all, you can't fly if you are stiff! He could hear his stomach growling, and it felt like he was empty inside. He took a deep breath, let it out slowly and climbed to the edge of the nest. Looking back at where he had been sleeping, he shuddered. Looking forward (not down, as mother said), his heart began to beat wildly.

 He gave himself a pep talk, 'Today I am going to fly. Today I am going to fly!' as he squeezed his eyes closed and began to flap his wings, clinging desperately to the edge of the nest with his talons.

 He flapped harder and harder, and opened his eyes to see his mother and brother again, way off in the distance. They were SOARING!! Oh, how he longed to do the same. He made up his mind. Today he was not just going to fly, today he was going to SOAR!

 He flapped and flapped, and felt the air begin to lift him. He flapped and flapped and felt the wind begin to whoosh beneath him, as it lifted his body! 'Why can't I fly???' he said. He stopped flapping and sat a while on the edge of the nest. He began to cry, feeling like a failure.

 It was then that he heard a rustling noise and turned to see his father standing on the back side of the nest. He had been watching the whole time, patiently waiting.

 “Little One,” he said. “If you don’t let go, you will never soar.”

 "PAPA!!" he cried, and turned to go to him (hoping for a meal, and more reassurance). But his father flew away right before his eyes. He stayed within eyesight, watching to see what his fledgling son would do.

 "That's it--I'm done laying in my own old mess. Today I'm going to SOAR!!" He looked forward, flapped his wings, closed his eyes and let go.

 Let go of the past. Let go of his previous failures. Let go of his dependencies and his fears. He opened his eyes, and realized how light he felt! And how free!

 "So THIS is what freedom feels like!" he cried out! Suddenly a gust of wind came up and lifted him out of the tree and into mid air! He continued to flap his wings and realized that the more he relaxed and let go, the closer he came to his father! "Well done, my little one!" he could hear his father say....but how is that possible? He is so far away still!?

 Well done!