I wanted that pigeon dead; it’s sad but true. Don’t get me wrong, I love birds. I’d love to have a house and barnyard full of them. (Not that I have a barn!) But I did not like that pigeon! “Kill that pigeon, I said!”
The outside walls of old Italian houses like ours, are full of nooks and crannies. Perfect nesting places for birds. And I usually think: “Oh how nice, baby birds to watch!”
But that morning dove came through loud and clear every day. Too early. And too loud. And the longer I heard it, the more I wanted that bird dead!
But my attitude bothered me
It wasn’t even the bird’s fault. It was just doing what pigeons do. Then one morning as I got more and more angry, this Bible verse came to mind:
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Give thanks for everything? That didn’t leave much room for grumbling and complaining, did it? And over a silly thing like a pigeon!! So I thanked God for that bird, and then I remembered how happy I always am when I see other wildlife. Was the pigeon really different?
And you know, all of a sudden I found all kinds of things to be thankful for!
I’m thankful that:
- I live in a peaceful, quiet place.
- It’s quiet enough to hear birds and insects chirping.
- It’s a beautiful area full of wildlife.
- I wake up to the singing of birds, not to the din of traffic.
- My alarm clock is a gentle dove. Instead of bombs exploding, like in so many places around the world.
The dove hasn’t gone away just because I’m thankful for it. She’s still there. But that’s okay. Because I know she’ll soon leave her nest, leaving my mornings in silence. And because the gentle cooing of that dove showed me how many blessings I forgot to count! We have so much to thank God for.
How many blessings are you forgetting to count?
For all that has been, Thank you. For all that is to come, Yes.
Dag Hammaskjold
📷 Image credits: pigeon; graphic made on Canva
Signora Sheila 
16 responses to “Kill That Pigeon”
A humorous reminder of an important truth. I was just reading that command in 1 Thessalonians this morning. Thank you for bringing it to life!
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Thank you! I think we often forget how very much we have to be thankful for!!
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What a wonderful story! I have been thinking lately that thankfulness is at the root of a right attitude in this world. I love the quote!
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You’re so right. This world is full of anger and hatred, and it just seems to get worse. How much of that could possibly disappear if we could just learn to practice gratitude with a truly grateful heart? That quote really is great. It reminds us that God has it all under control – all the time!!
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We have a pair of doves furiously building a nest in a pine tree, but it’s about 10-12m from the house, not in the wall. ✌️😀 … nice turnaround!
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Thanks Mike. I like watching the pigeons when they’re a bit further from the house. And not literally above my head! I really was hating that dove! But God is so good to use these simple lessons to put us back on track!
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Your story illustrates: the power of gratitude is real–to change attitudes, lower blood pressure, increase contentment, etc. I’ve kept a daily gratitude journal for four years now, recording just one or two delights each day. It doesn’t take a lot of time, but gives me much joy to review the day and remember the blessings. Even so, I know there are many that slip by me unawares!
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Gratitude journal! That’s a great idea, Nancy, and one we should probably all do. I’m glad to hear that it can also lower blood pressure… because lately it’s been one problem after another, bad news on top of bad news. Part of my readings have taken me to Job lately. And Job is good in such times. He kept being grateful and praising God even in the midst of his trials. Mine aren’t nearly as bad as that. So surely I can keep praising him too!!
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The lovely way you have chosen to turn annoyance into gratitude is wonderful. That the Lord would send you a nudge to help you see His glory and grace even in a bothersome bird is His magnificence. Thanks for sharing, my friend.
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Thanks Dayle! But as you know, it’s the Lord who helps me do that. I’m afraid my patience is often too sadly lacking. I’m thankful for the Spirit’s gentle nudges that shake me up asking “What are you doing? Wake up!”
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You have to value those holy nudges! They’re sweet without being condemning and remind us that He is always there, present and powerful and so very pleased that we are His!
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That’s a great thought – and so very encouraging! We are his!!!
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Yes! We have so many blessings! ❤
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Too many to count – if we would but remember them!!
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Thanks for the reminder…I experienced one of those wake up calls to be thankful this week too, by a “Dove” from above.
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The Lord is so good to send us little gentle reminders and get us back on track. I hate to have my peace and serenity in him disrupted – and by something as dumb as a pigeon!!
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