A Bird’s Family Tree
By larry r Linville

Mother bird was full of pride
as her babies filled the nest
of all her eggs that had hatched
she knew these babies were best.

She brought them food all day long
greeted by their little tweets
thinking of the work she must do
because of all each baby eats.

Soon she decides to tell them
as she approaches the tree
about the reason they are there
and she tells their history.

She tells them of thousands of years
every bird has built a nest
and laid their eggs and waited
while Mother Nature did the rest.

She said when they grew older
they would give their wings a try
and every single one of them
would find out how to fly.

Next year it would be their turn
to build their own little nest
and she knew she could teach them
so they could all pass the test.

Next time you hear the chirping
while the feeding is taking place
remember their conversation
with a knowing smile on your face.

Too Overly Redundant
By larry r Linville

“Did you mean to say what you said?”
a parishioner asked of me
following a Sunday sermon
and his face was full of glee.

What had I said in that sermon
that gave him such a laugh
as he pointed out to me
my latest grammatical gaffe?

“You said right in the middle
it was too overly redundant.”
I was so embarrassed at that
sentence with errors so abundant.

How expressive it must have been
like a lady so wordily dressed.
It covered the subject to well
and the point so completely stressed.

“I didn’t mean to say it this time,”
I said with an ear to ear smile.
“But next time I’ll do it on purpose
and I’ll do it with power and style.”

Have A Good One
By larry r Linville

There is a phrase I hate to hear
It seems to stick hard in my ear
After all the business is done
They seem to shout, “have a good one!”

“Have a good one”, I hear them say
“a good what?” I ask – they say “good day.”
Say what you mean and mean what you say
It’s not a “good one” it’s a “good day.”

A “good one” is so inconclusive
And furthermore is so allusive
Why don’t they just say what they mean
And don’t use words which are in between?

If “have a good day” is meant
They should show their real intent
But if they mean have a good cry
They can let their comments pass me by.

“Thank you” used to be good enough
But someone added this other stuff
So, my friend, I bid you adieu
When my business with you is through.

Looking Back At Ministry
Larry r Linville

I look back on my ministry
and think how it could have been better
If I’d known then what I know now
even though I was a go-getter.

I know I gave it all I had
and tried to improve every day.
Each experience helped me grow
and follow God along the way.

New methods have been introduced
and computers have been employed.
We have upbeat music to sing
with the hymns we’ve always enjoyed.

Many old experiences
with fresh approaches from today
provide me with new excitement
converting my work into play.

They say a preacher never retires
and I’ve discovered that is true
even when I don’t serve a church
there is always so much to do.

I must get back to Sunday’s sermon
and make preparations at my best
so I can give inspiration
to the members and any guest.

A Child’s Musings About Flies.
By larry r Linville

Why do flies come in many sizes
Some with big feet and long thighses.
Some have small bodies and tiny eyeses
Each fly is full of big surprises.

Do little flies always stay small
Or after a while do they grow tall?
Are the big flies so much wiser
Or do they spend much time on ‘fertilizer”?

No matter their size, flies are a pest
Certainly not a welcome house guest
Not what we’d want as an insider
Although that would please every spider.

One fly woke up and away he flew
But was replaced by another fly or two.
I slapped at them and they were soon gone
So when I counted I found there were none.

When it’s winter where do they go?
Do they leave to avoid all the snow?
Or do they fly south like they were a bird?
I don’t think so – that’s so absurd.