A NOISY BIRD

After years of getting up early to make sure the kids got off to school and years of getting up early to get to jobs on time, I can sleep in.  I do not even feel guilty.  The trouble is, I rarely sleep in.  It seems like there is not enough day if I sleep past seven.

Sometimes, I have not slept well.   Then seven comes and goes and eight follows right behind.  I wake up rested and so enjoy slowly drinking my coffee.  I am in such a good mood after my coffee.  On those mornings, I can drink my coffee and not face the day until 9:00 or 10:00.  I still do not feel guilty.

Unless, a noise disturbs my coffee time.  One morning a pesky bird decided to let the world know it could chirp with the best of them.  And it was chirping right outside the window.  You would have thought a bird would sit in a tree.  Not this bird.  It was perched on the window ledge.  Perched and singing as loud as an Italian opera singer.  I pecked on the window.  I swear that bird smiled at me and then was quiet enough for me to have a couple sips of coffee and …

The bird decided a couple of sips of coffee was all I needed.  The silence disappeared as the bird broke into a rendition of Blue Skies Smiling at Me.  The sky might be smiling, but that was twice now that bird had interrupted my morning.  Then, as I was headed for the door, it flew away.  Bless its heart.  The bird was gone.  A cup of hot coffee was poured.  I picked up a book.  A book and coffee make for a perfect morning.  Until …

Until that bird was back for a third time.

But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.

A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight.  She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

But he denied it.  “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”

“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.

About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.  The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”  

And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

Luke 22:33-34, 55-62

My heart understands Peter.  He was ready to die for Jesus.  He would not back down.  How could Jesus think he would deny him?  NEVER!  It must have been like a knife being stuck into his chest when Jesus said those words.  It had to hurt him to his very core.  NEVER!  Peter was strong.  Peter was loved by Jesus and he loved Jesus.  He would never deny him.  I can hear Peter’s soul shouting, “How can Jesus even think that?”

BUT, Peter denied knowing Jesus and I had sat quietly as those around me used the Lord’s name in vain.

BUT, Peter denied being one of Jesus’ followers and I did not say a prayer for the friend who needed prayers.

BUT, Peter told them he didn’t know what they were talking about and I found an excuse to not read the Bible that day.

AND THE ROOSTER CROWED.

I am strong in my faith.  I believe my sins are forgiven because Jesus took them upon himself.  I would never deny Him!  How could Jesus even think that?

BUT the rooster crowed, the Lord turned and looked at me, and I realized why my heart understands Peter.  I also have denied my Lord.  I am not strong.

Do not be too hard on Peter.  Look at your life.  Have you been weak and denied your Lord?  Have you heard the rooster crow?