Children’s Book

As Promised from a couple of weeks back, my new book All Creatures Most Small is now out. This is my first book that is exclusively children’s poetry and was appropriately illustrated by my young friend Emilia (9 years old). Watching both Emilia and my friend and graphic designer Robert Keller come onboard to illustrate and frame my poems was a huge blessing in my life. I am grateful to them for their enthusiasm and advice as well as the kind and encouraging words from both Emilia’s mom and grandmother.

Here is another little peek – Into what All Creatures Mostly Small is about

We were having a great time storytelling and singing around the campfire, late into the night at our church camp out for boys. The youngest of them felt like we were in the wilderness even though it was really just behind the house of one of our church members. When the time came for everybody to head for bed, it took a while to get the boys settled into their sleeping bags. While I lay there listening to the cicadas singing and the frogs chirping, a little voice whispered from the back of the tent, “We can’t sleep. It sounds scary!”

“Oh, don’t be afraid.” I told them. “That just sounds like God talking to me.” I answered back. “Oh!” The small voice whispered. Then just a few minutes later things got quiet and I could hear the gentle snoring of the boys telling me that yes, they had heard God speaking too. I am thankful for all the lessons both large and small that God has taught me with the voice of even His tiniest creatures. and I invite you in these poems to hear God talking to you too.

Here is the softcover edition which is available on Amazon today. This is also an e-book format for those who prefer tablets instead of physical books.

Jesus Take the Wheel

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

Worrying over our grandchildren’s relationship with Jesus has been a recurring theme for me lately. When they were small things seemed pretty simple. We took them to church, prayed with them and at every opportunity made sure they had plenty of cookies. But now they are older things have changed. Some days it feels as if I am slogging through a mud bog, when I try to communicate even the basics of what it means to be a Christian. As I tossed and turned through another middle of the night worry session recently, God’s peace seemed light years away.

Then the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder and reminded me that I wasn’t doing them or myself any good. While I had been trying to overwhelm them with good arguments or coax them towards an interest in Jesus, I was forgetting that ultimately that job is His and that He loves them way more than I do. It is hard to trust God with people who are the closest to us. Yielding control over our spouse, a child a grandchild or a friend means letting God take over. What we really need to do is like what Carrie Underwood sings, “Jesus take the wheel!” We need to release our grip so that God can steer. Jesus won’t rip the steering wheel away from us. He will allow us as many nights as we wish to toss and turn. But if we are worn out with worry and fed up with fear God is waiting and even longing for us to trust that He knows how to fix the situation better than we do. Only He has the strength to carry us our worries and has promised a peace that stretches from our anxious hour all the way to heaven!

Faith and Feathers

This week-end I came across a feather that one of the hawks in our neighborhood lost in a tussle with a mocking bird. It was still so well preserved that i brought it home and washed it and then mailed it off with this poem to our youngest grandson. I hope that it may be a blessing to some other child like thinking friends out there. I hope everyone has a great week!

Faith is Like a Feather

Faith is like a feather

That can move a million pounds

It can shake a mighty mountain

Without making any sounds

It sings when we are lonely

And sits close when we are sad

Then carries us to Jesus

To forgive us when we’re bad

It will teach us to keep praying

Even when we’re growing weak

And will fly with us to heaven

Where with Jesus we will meet

Faith and Feathers by Peter Caligiuri © 2020 All rights reserved