Hey Family,
I heartily recommend a children’s book if you need a gift for a little person in your life. Here’s one of my favorites, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems.
It’s about a Pigeon whose passion is to operate a large motor vehicle. The story gets going when the Bus Driver has to leave for a while, and he asks the Readers to keep the Pigeon from driving the parked bus. The confident Pigeon thinks he’s in the clear now that the Bus Driver is out of the way (“I thought he’d never leave”) and casually asks the Readers, “Hey, can I drive the bus?”
No.
Then he moves on to, “Please?”
No.
“I’ll be careful.”
No, again.
(We know what the Readers’ answer will be. Little kids love to say “NO.”)
The Pigeon tries a new approach: “My cousin Herb drives a bus almost every day!”
No.
The Pigeon’s frustration mounts, and he gives in to self-pity: “I never get to do anything.”
The Pigeon revives when he gets fresh inspiration: “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Let’s play ‘Drive the Bus,’ I’ll go first!”
No.
Then he tries rapid-fire questions:
- “I’ll be your friend!”
- “No fair!”
- “How ‘bout I give you five bucks?”
- “What’s the big deal!?”
Then my favorite line: “I have DREAMS, you know!”
No.
The Pigeon appears resigned to his fate and mumbles “Fine.”
Then, on the next page, he completely loses his cool, erupting, “LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!”
Notice how he’s flailing around, feathers flying, his eye red and bloodshot.
But still the Readers answer no.
Then the Bus Driver returns and thanks the Readers for keeping the Pigeon from driving the bus.
The Pigeon hangs his head. His hopes are dashed.
But on the next page the Pigeon brightens up and says “Hey . . .” as he sees a SHINY RED TRUCK.
The book ends with a thought bubble over the Pigeon’s head, as he pictures himself rumbling down the road in this 18-Wheeler with the CB radio in his hand.
There’s a spiritual parallel here. I think some sincere believers look at God and prayer this way. They think that we need to be like the Pigeon, asking and asking from a highly reluctant God. Some interpret this Sunday’s parable (Luke 11:5-8) that way. I don’t think that’s right. Our God is not like the Reader (delighting in saying “no” and squashing our dreams). Furthermore, followers of Jesus are not to imitate the Pigeon, haranguing and cajoling and trying to get just enough faith or just the right words to wrest a positive answer out of God. Our prayer posture should be different.
So, this Sunday we’ll look at the Friend at Midnight parable from Luke 11. We’ll also sing and witness three baptisms. I’m looking forward to seeing you on campus.
For the One who said, “ask, and it will be given to you” (Lk 11:9),
Darren