What’s in a Name

My name is Peggy. I live in rural Kansas and my hobby is raising chickens. But the bird that has most captured my imagination and appreciation is the eagle. This is because scripture verses that use the eagle to symbolize God and his characteristics and care for us as his children have inspired me.  So it’s no surprise that my email is “mamaeagle.”  

Power to Soar, Power to Persevere

Eagles are strong and powerful, with an enormous wingspan of five to seven feet. They are unique among animals, because while other creatures hide in a storm, the eagle flies into a storm, using its powerful wings and the wind currents to soar higher in a matter of seconds! These facts about eagles remind me of God’s power and his promise to give his children the strength to face our earthly trials.

A favorite scripture describes this power and endurance God has given me/my family to go through the challenges and storms of our life journey. Isaiah 40:31 says ”But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” NKJV

A New Nest and a Look Back

Seven years ago when we moved into our home in the country, we were fulfilling a dream we thought might never come true.  In our hearts and minds, this was the last move we would be making as a family. The process of looking for this home and moving caused me to think back over thirty-three years of marriage, raising four children and twenty moves. I remembered several seasons of challenge and storms when God strengthened us through specific people and scriptures. One that remains etched in my memory happened fifteen years ago while we were living in Northern California.

Flying into a Storm 

We had moved our family across the country to serve a church that we firmly believed God led us to and where we shared a common ministry vision. We purchased a home, desiring to put down roots and remain there to serve for a long time. Ministry began and moved along smoothly for the first 18 months. Unfortunately, rumblings began that eventually led to us leaving the church. This meant both my husband and I were suddenly without jobs!  We had to sell our home quickly. For the first time ever I felt like I had lost my identity, plummeting into a deep depression. I was literally non-functional… 

Strength Renewed

God “renewed our strength” through a friendship with a special couple from the church. They took us under their wing and housed our family until we could put a plan together.  My husband was devastated but knew he had to remain strong to keep our family together. It was then that I saw him rise above the circumstances! We made the decision to stay and he went back to school to get his teaching degree. During that time God provided the opportunity for me to work for a family-owned pharmacy and slowly He brought me out of the depression with a new vision and identity. 

God honored this season, giving my husband one of the greatest joys of his life, one that he may never have experienced if not for the loss we endured earlier, that of teaching and coaching high school students for the next 10 years. 

Through this time and throughout our lives, God literally fulfilled his promise to us in Isaiah 40:31 many times! Even in the darkest times by his grace, we kept our eyes on Him.  He renewed our strength at times when we doubted we had any left! He showed us his compassion and love and empowered us to “fly into and through the storms” of our life.

A New Name for a New Nest

We were happy to find and move into our home.  It has become our place of refuge and comfort. In remembrance of God’s provision of endurance and strength throughout our lives, we wanted it to have a name that would reflect our hearts and gratitude.  We named our home “Eagle’s Nest” after Isaiah 40:31 “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” NKJV