We had small kids at the time, only three. Tara and I started our customary evening stroll around the yard when an owl make a weak attempt to swoop down and scare us. Tara wanted to go back inside. I said, “Owls don’t hunt people. How many times have you seen an owl carrying around a human in their talons? Now come on, lets walk.” Additional resistance spurred more false teaching from me since I just wanted to walk. Finally she agreed, so I threw in a final poke. “But if they do attack, whatever you do, don’t run, because that makes them frenzied and they attack more.”
The moment I finished saying that, it felt like someone swung a full loaf of bread as hard as they could and smashed the back of my head. My neck hunkered down and my hand grabbed the spot that was hit, and I felt wetness. The owl’s razor sharp talons punctured me. I ran back toward the house but Tara was frozen, remembering my earlier teachings. She said, “Don’t run, they might attack more.” She eventually came to her senses and ran in too.
The story didn’t end well for the owl and it’s family. For us it did. I learned how much my wife depends on me for truth. She even believes me even when I am full of BS about owls. Some would call that gullible but I, well I would call it that too.
We tell each other that things will be okay. We really feel that way right now. But we haven’t always. At times, we suspected we would not make it. Both of these are based on how we feel or think. But real truth is not based on what we feel or think. Real truth is simply what is. And it is verified by the experiences of life. We know that cancer is hard. That is true. We know that people can make it through difficult times. That is true. We know that God will give us joy in the midst of trials. That is true. We know that God will sustain us with his word, the scriptures. That is true. We know that God answers the fervent prayers of a broken hearted family. That is true.
So as we see God’s promises fulfilled more and more, we gain confidence that He is the truth. And we can have confidence that the rest of his promises are true. Easier said than done. But we’ll keep trying.
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
sure can dominate our thoughts — but it does not own our spirit. Our belief in the healing powers of prayer — in God our savior and Jesus will sustain us. The wonderment of it all. The challenges, we are able to face amaze me also. The inner peace helps…. I have been fighting the “DEVIL” — THE CANCER for going n 2 years.. First they gave me the Taxotere and the carboplatnium — but it did not do well for my type of cancer. Now the clinical trial ( using Temirolimus and IMC-A12 shows great results so far ! Cancer reduced by 20-25% and the growth rate is 2.2 HOPE, OUR families, GOD, Jesus all of the prayers being said. Your friends trying o get your frieds getting you out and about. —- trying to get a normal whatever normal is. I still can sit down in a chair and fall asleep in 5 minutes, but it is what the body needs.
I pray every day for the FAB 4 — You Tara, Amy, Aunt Lois Jean, and lastly me.
I am so filled wit awe as you Ladies fight this terrible Gene and the devil driven cancer. I pray that the clinical trial I am on will help others with my type o cancer.
If you look it up it is Triple negative HER2 Breast Cancer with the BRCA1 gene —- only about 12 trials out there. The first time it was positive so easier to treat. I
My saying is ” I am high on sucking Air ” and I mean it literally. I am thankful that I have a wonderful husband that is my best friend also.
This year I needed the Spring to come…… I went wild in the yard. Planted some interesting flowers the neighbors to the East — all of us went out and planted a wonderful flower garden in the middle of our yards where they meet.
Then I planted sweet autumn clematis ( 6 ) and intermittingly planted sweet summer love clematis ( 6 ) on the fence to the West of us on their fence together with them.
also got a burning bush to lace tomorrow and a Boston Ivy — starts out green then turns in the fall to red. The plan is for it to climb both directions on the corner of the house….it turns a bright red in the fall.
Frank laid 1860 pavers out front of the house and laid out the plans and did all of the work — he even made me a 14×10 flower garden that we filled with mostly perrennials., There is a little room for some annuals.
I love the Spring and Summer soooo much– the new life of all the plants renewing their ability to comeback. Roses and bushes out by the pump just keep on blooming.
Our prayers are with you all s a family — every day. My greatest hope for you all is that we beat the ugly out and we get better back! God Bless you all, and Jay you are a special man, struggling perhaps with the emotion of it all — but we will be sustained by our maker! Tara , my heart hurts that you even have to go through this. — we love you all.. Hang in there , fight the fight and win !!! ( we are on the sidelines )
Aunt DeeDee & the love of my life your Uncle Frank
God has a sense of humor. Definitely!
Isn’t it amazing how we think we know what is truth and we realize we haven’t really studied it well enough to know.
Did you relocate the owl family? My husband has relocated several animals that cause damage or distress. Some went to heaven and other to Oxbow woods.
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13 NIV)
Thought I would share this from my Daily Devotions.
Love you 7Maiers & pray for you all daily!
Amen!! About the truth…what a great story!! Even with the signs of possible danger, well, we just want to do what we want to do! Then we get hit and can’t deny the wounds! Ouch!! I’m so glad to see all of you and Tara I’m praying for that scan on the 3rd. Thanks for the laugh- great story!! Well written!!
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