Birds

Going Back to School

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

While we New Englanders have enjoyed Labor Day weekend as our final summer family fling, here in Florida and much of the South, the kids are gearing up for school in early August. Either way, the pinch of new shoes, finding our seat in homeroom and the weight of Algebra books are an inevitable destiny. This morning that idea of going back to school reminded me of a poem I wrote a while back that encourages us to remember that no matter how old we are, God has some new lessons for us to learn today.

Flying Lessons

The hummingbird was sleeping in
When mother shook his wing
Wake up John it’s time for class
I heard the school bell ring!

He opened first one tiny eye
Then peeked out of the nest
He knew the day for flying lessons
What was his mom planned next

So out the door with trembling heart
John’s wings began to beat
Then up into the wind He flew
To lessons down the street!

Flying Lessons by Peter Caligiuri copyright 2020 all rights reserved

Show me the right path, O Lord point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me. Psalms 25:4-5 NLT

Every Step of the Way

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments 
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15‭-‬16 NIV

On my morning walks I have been greatly enjoying watching one little brood of ducklings growing up as they waddle along with all their might after their mom. Their eager footsteps remind me of one of choruses we used to sing. “This is the Day that the Lord Has Made”. That was a song we sang with enthusiasm and hand clapping, focusing on the following line, “we will rejoice and be glad.” part of the verse. But even though we sang the words, usually we went out and lived the rest of the day, oblivious as to whom it truly belonged. We easily forgot that the day was not ours. When we just, “seize the day” as one popular saying urges us to, we will find ourselves on a pathway alone. That is because every day, not just the one we call, “The Lord’s Day” belongs to Him. Until He has redeemed it, we will miss His purpose. Until we put our time into His hands, we will miss the wisdom of my little web-footed friends, of following Jesus every step of the way!

This is the Day

/ pastorpete51 / 8 Comments

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 KJV

We’ve sung it, embroidered it on wall hangings and said it so often that sometimes it loses its freshness. I was so delighted that with all the problems swirling around in our world that God took a moment to remind me and refresh my heart.

Here in Florida we are known by the tourists for two kinds of wildlife: flamingos (which we have yet to see after 3 1/2 years) and alligators – which are rare in these parts. So I was delighted to unexpectedly spot a good sized gator pop his head up for a moment while I passed by our community pond on Monday. Hoping for better light and a closer photo opportunity (but not too close!) I set off on my Sunday morning walk. As I neared the pond I was taken in by the breathtaking clarity of the morning light and the perfect colorful reflections on the water. Yet all the while I was hoping for a peek at a fearsome predator, God had something different and delightful in mind.

It wasn’t the spectacle I expected but it was what God had prepared for me today. Then He reminded me that this is His day and I just might miss what He has in store if I insist on hunting for alligators!