Have you heard the story about the mother eagle and a mother squirrel who happened to build their nests in the very same tree? They were hugely different neighbors! The squirrel built her nest safely inside the tree, cozy and hidden. The eagle went all in, placing her nest at the top of the tree, facing the sun, like a penthouse suite.

One day, one of the eaglets, who had not yet learned to fly, tumbled out of the sky-high nest. Down, down, down it went—until it landed in the middle of the squirrel’s nest, right on top of her pups.

The eaglet did not panic. She simply snuggled into the squirrel’s twigs and leaves and fell fast asleep, utterly unbothered. Why? She knew—without a doubt—that her mom, the eagle, would come for her. Meanwhile, the squirrel family was having a collective meltdown. Baby squirrels squeaked and mama squirrel panicked because they knew exactly what was coming – the mother EAGLE.

Here is the point – do you know that God loves you? Do you live like the eaglet, resting with the full assurance that help is on the way? Or do you live more like squirrels, panicked, anxious, carrying all the weight of survival on your tiny furry shoulders?

Jeremiah 29 reminds us that even in times of hardship, God has not forgotten us. The prophet told Israel while they were still in captivity to build houses, plant gardens, get married, raise families, and pray for their city. In other words: stop panicking, settle down, and trust that God’s love is bigger than your circumstances. That is the beauty of Jeremiah 29: v11. It says God’s love is steady, His plans are good, and His care is already at work even when life feels like you have fallen out of the nest. God still loves us!

So, this week, be like the eaglet: Rest! Trust! Know that God loves you, always! He has not forgotten you! God has already dispatched what you need: angels, resources, strength. Take a nap if you must – but whatever you do, do not live like panicked squirrels!

God loves you. God sees you. And God has not forgotten about you! Amen.

Dr. Ron Bell