Learning To Soar

Nearly a year ago I received an unusual message in my Facebook inbox. It was from a man named Avery Willis. He wrote,

Dear Marcia, About 15 years ago I spoke at First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX on Eagles. A Marcia Tapp gave me a poem she had written while I spoke. I want to include it in a book I have written. If you are that Marcia Tapp or know her could you contact me.

His name rang a bell, but I couldn't remember who he was and knew that I had never been to FBC, Dallas. I searched his name and found that he is a well known Christian speaker and author. I saw his picture and remembered that I had heard him speak with Henry Blackaby during a Spiritual Awakening week when I was a freshman at East Texas Baptist University. My memory was foggy but he had pricked my curiosity, so I dug through some of my college things and discovered a journal in which I had handwritten some poems. I found this:

Its so warm in this sheltered place
So safe here from harm
I could stay here forever
Nestled in Your arms.

But now my world is changing
You're doing something new
You're asking me to place
My total trust in You.

I'm scared as I take my place
Upon Your wings, spread for flight
As I feel You flying higher
Circling with all my might.

Slowly I dare to open my eyes
Then see more than I've ever seen.
You are taking me up to a place
Beyond my highest dreams.

How wonderful up in the heights
With my Father above the land
Then He whispers, "Trust Me more,
For I have a greater plan".

Suddenly a gentle thrust
I'm falling through the sky
Fluttering helplessly alone and scared
I spread my wings - now I can fly!

(inspired by Avery Willis' sermon during Spiritual Awakening week at East Texas Baptist University, September 29, 1992)

After rereading it , I instantly broke into tears. I was incredibly humbled at this interesting turn of events. It was amazing to me that he had kept my handwritten verses all these years! In thinking back to when I gave him the poem, I remembered being timid and almost hesitant about it. I remember feeling a prompting to do it, though.

I contacted Mr. Avery and let him know that I was the one he was looking for. He replied that he has been trying to locate me for quite some time. The reason he was intent on getting in touch with me was to get my permission to publish my poem as the epilogue in his latest book. I could hardly believe it! I have always dreamed of being published! I , or course, granted him permission to use it and have been anticipating seeing it in print.

My mom dropped by tonight on her way to a meeting. She handed me a gift bag and said she had picked up 'a little something' for me. As soon as I touched the bound edge, a thrill swept over me! I could hardly contain my joy as I opened the pages to where she had already proudly and lovingly placed a bookmark.

God has such amazing ways of blessing His children. I love gifts that come unaware and without pretense. He absolutely surprised me, let me breathless and in awe of how He holds sway over all my comings and goings. The beautiful lesson of learning to trust Him that inspired me to write the meditations of my heart half my life ago, literally, were returned to me at a time when I needed to be refreshed and renewed.

Underneath my poem , Avery has added these words:

As you give God everything you have, He will provide everything you need. Catch the wind of His Spirit and soar.