The past week my brother & I have been getting lots of virtual exercise as armchair kibitzers cheering on athletes from all over the globe competing at the Winter Olympics in South Korea. (How ’bout those dashingly domineering Norwegians!?!)
After watching various snow-cross skiing, aerials & snowboarding events (yaaaay Chloe Kim, Jamie Anderson, Shaun White & Red Gerard!), it’s amazing how these athletes fly up so high to do their ‘tricks.’ Especially doing them under pressure, like Shaun White’s third run where he laid down something truly phenomenal to win gold medal in the half pipe. (Why do they say they ‘put down a run’ when they’re leaping & flipping up so high over the pipe course?) hmmn. Virginia, a snowboarder is not, but she likes to watch them (a bit more exciting than curling, not to offend avid curling fans out there, but what’s up with that?)
Methinks these ‘high-flying’ athletes need extra strong courage muscles to fly hundreds of feet above what is essentially a large block of ice covered with snow. Or flying up into multiple aerial flips over a snowy mountainside. Many rebounding after injuries to compete again = really strong courage muscles = inspiring.
And this relates to Lent, how? Maybe our courage muscles need a bit of spiritual encouragement to open the wings of our hearts to fly a bit higher (at least take a few flippety-flaps, however wobbly, more than 2 feet away from our comfortable nests?)
“Why do you complain…’My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God?’ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:27-31)
“What good are wings without the courage to fly?” Atticus
grace, peace & high-flying courage
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
Encouraging, inspiring message and impressive photo? What species?
As you proceed with your Olympic ventures, a suggestion: to avoid repetitive stress injury, switch your remote hand from right to left…and back again… when the inevitable pain crops up after that treacherous ‘pause-to-rewind-to-play’ move we’ve worked on over the years.
My fast-forward muscles have been getting a major workout (since we recorded e.thing Olympic on multiple channels!) But it’s been fun to watch things we haven’t noted much before like all the biathlon events, snow boarding etc.
I took that birdie pic @ Tarangire Park in Tanzania 🇹🇿 – not sure what type, but we saw lots of amazing birds! 🧐🦅🧐
Courage…Jesus had unconditional love and courage..
Jesus had loads of courage & courageous love – and He kept telling us not to be afraid! 🌷💜😎💜🌷
Thank you for your words
Thank YOU for your encouragement! 💐🤗💐
Those familiar verses from Isaiah never cease to pierce my soul and remind me that I must keep trusting and keep waiting on the LORD to truly fly!
Amen, Cin. Those verses are a reminder of Papa & Mama’s soaring faith – set in the stone of their memorial & in the legacy of their love – the ‘I can’t but God can’ love of Jesus in & thru them. 🦅🤗🙏🤗🦅
Yes, my husband and I have been watching quite a bit of the Olympics.. It’s unbelievable some of what these athletes can accomplish.. (BTW, I think curling is a sport that those that play it get the most out of..).. but we even watched some of it.. basically the Canadian team though I must admit. … That scripture in Isaiah is one of my very favourite … Diane
Diane, those verses are long-time favs. It’s inspiring how hard Olympic athletes work all year round (& for many years) to compete. We have fast-forwarded curling but will now watch men’s gold medal match ‘cause somehow our team made the final! Hugs (& congrats on Canada’s huge medal haul!) 🎉🥇🎉