"Well, here it is, March 19th, the day many have been waiting for for some time. Do you know why?"
#38- Right on Time!
A Character story about punctuality.
While Mrs. Jensen readied Joshua for church, Julie and Jason munched on cereal with their dad. After a few moments of silence, Mr. Jensen remarked, "Well, here it is, March 19th, the day many have been waiting for for some time. Do you know why?"
"Because it's Palm Sunday, I guess," Julie suggested as she spread honey on her toast.
"Yes, that's one reason, but not the one I'm thinking of. Try again."
"It's almost the first day of spring, isn't it?" Jason asked.
"Yes, but that's not it either. Any other guesses?"
"Next week will be Easter, but that's probably not it either," Julie added.
"No, but you're closer. I know you won't guess so I'll just tell you. Today is the day that the cliff swallows return to San Juan, Capistrano in southern California. How about that?!"
"You're right. We weren't about to guess that one," Julie remarked. "But I don't get what's so important about that. And what does it have to do with Easter?"
"Well, you see, this tiny bird migrates south during the winter. Yet, no matter what the winter is like, its return to this small city can be predicted within 24 to 48 hours every year. The timing of this bird's return is so precise that thousands of people make it a cause to celebrate. Bird watchers will gather in southern California with their binoculars scanning the skies for the first sight of the swallow. And they are rarely disappointed."
"Wow!" said Jason. "That would be quite a welcome. I wonder if the swallows like all the attention."
"I doubt that they mind," Mr. Jensen continued. "They immediately get busy building a mud house on a tree, cliff, or even under a roof overhang. Then they will raise three to six young before going south again."
"Boy," said Jason again, "pretty soon we'll probably be overrun with them."
"Well, they do have enemies. But swallows are the kind of bird that you like to have around. Each one will eat 900 to 1000 insects a day! This also helps farmers for some of the insects would otherwise eat their crops."
"Daddy, I know you have a lesson for us from these birds, but I can't think what it will be," Julie said with a twinkle in her eye.
Her Dad laughed. "As a matter of fact, I did have something in mind. As you know, today is Palm Sunday. I was reading a book recently that dealt with a prediction in Daniel chapter 9. It said that proper interpretation of this prophecy tells us that, from a command to rebuild Jerusalem after it was destroyed until 'Messiah the Prince' would be exactly 483 years. The book went on to show that this command took place in 445 BC and- listen to this- to the exact day the 483 years expired on Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem! Isn't that amazing?!"
"The exact day?!" Jason said in astonishment. "That is something!"
"Yeah, it sure is," Julie agreed.
"But if we remember that, though God is never in a hurry, He is ALWAYS on time, and that He is in control of this old world, then we shouldn't be surprised that Christ came right on time. But do you know what else this reminds me of? It's another promise found in John 14:3. Read that for us there, Jason," Mr. Jensen asked, handing his son a Bible.
Jason quickly found the place and read, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again-"
"Stop right there. Did you catch that promise? Jesus said, 'I will come again.' When is that going to happen?"
"Nobody knows," Julie affirmed.
"You're right, Sissy. We can see many indications that it could be soon, just as they could have known that His first coming was soon. But the exact day we cannot know. Yet the swallows do show us one thing for sure. Now do you know what it is?"
"I get it!" Jason shouted enthusiastically. "His second coming is going to be right on time too."
"Right you are, Son. Just because He hasn't told us His time table doesn't mean there is none. As it says in the book of Acts, He shall return 'in like manner as ye have seen Him go . . .' And we can be sure it will be right on time."
"Speaking of being on time," Julie remarked, looking at the clock and jumping up, "we'd better get going or we'll be late for church."
"Right," Mr. Jensen said with a grin. "We wouldn't want the 'early birds' to get the good seats."
SCIENCE QUIZ
1) Horses breathe through their a) noses b) mouths c) both
2) This drink was originally considered to be a cure for almost any ailment. a) tea b) coke c) coffee d) gingerale
3) About one out of _?_ people is left-handed. a) 5 b) 10 c) 20 d) 25
4) A spider is an insect. T F
5) Fish with forked tails are the fastest swimmers. T F
ANSWERS
1) a (only) 2) c 3) b 4) F (spiders have 6 legs; insects have 8) 5) T
Z