Poem July 24, 1989 Issue

Of homing pigeons and "letting go" ...

Faith Walsh Heidtbrink

Daily I asked God to show me just how
I could let my child go.
It seemed so hard.

One day the answer came in an unexpected way
as a bird soared overhead:
A homing pigeon
flies toward what is familiar to his heart—
he flies always homeward.

... toward what is familiar to his heart!

The fear drained away
as I thought of the Christ-brought ways
that God had become familiar
to my child's heart.

The caring good deed, pure love for others,
the peace of integrity, and the safety of obedience ...
these had been her home, and now would be her compass,
as step by step she made her own way.

I saw that I need not fear ...
God's familiar presence, her home-at-hand,
would keep the course true.

And now, with new perspective,
I daily open the windows of my heart—
and let His child go.

Faith Walsh Heidtbrink

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