No Reservations | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: No Reservations | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
01/20/22
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Camila was born and bred into an elite class who wintered in the south, but they were chomping at the bit to get home by early spring. At an age when inexperience can push confusion to the surface, she was blessed to listen to her mother's good sense while on a flight back.

"Mama, why can't we just stay in one place?"

"One day, my dear, you will understand. It's such a long-standing family tradition, no one ever questions."

Camila pondered on other mysteries she couldn't quite grasp as they headed north. For one thing, she wasn't sure why it would take so long.

"I have another question, Mama. What if it's dark when we get there and land in the wrong place?"

The mother's gentle patience was a comfort to the youngster.

"Camila, God is in control. We leave every single aspect of our lives totally in His hands. No matter where we go, if we ask, He will keep us on the right path to our destination."

The naïve offspring needed a little more information to get things straight.

"Cousin Aldo told me about teensy magnetic things embedded in the wings that get us through the air. He said he heard a word called GPS. Is it like that? Are we safe?"

Mama chuckled at her young daughter's mixture of dubious information from nerdy little Aldo.

"Well, dear. It's a bit more complicated, but you don't need to understand how since you didn't invent it. Just relax, and before you know it, we'll be back to the place we love and where we are revered and adored by so many."

"One more thing, Mama. Aldo said there would be a parade to welcome us home and some kind of festival with music and lots of food. Are we famous?"

"Yes, Camila. We are more famous than you can imagine. Do not let that go to your pretty head. When we land, we must get busy at once getting our home back in order. Don't think so highly of yourself. Simply work and obey."

"Yes, Mother, but one just more question. When do we go to our winter home again?"

"We leave the old mission at San Juan Capistrano for Goya, Argentina, in October every year. It takes about one month. This time, we have been flying since March. Thankfully, we will be landing soon."

Sure enough. Once more, the mystery of total obedience to Divine Guidance was a beautiful thing to behold. It is an excellent lesson for the rest of us to consider at great length (and even though we are not swallows, perhaps to brood over).
___

Note:
The Mission at San Juan Capistrano is well known for The Return of the Swallows. They migrate 6,000 miles in large groups. Legend has it that Father Saint John O'Sullivan, Pastor of the Mission from 1910-1933, intervened when he noticed a local shopkeeper hitting at the birds nesting in the eaves of his building to make them relocate.
As a result, the kindly priest is said to have invited the swallows to construct their homes at the mission, and they accepted the very next day. What a charming image!

Migration north to California originates in Goya, Argentina, around St. Joseph's Day--March 19--each year. The protected birds journey to Capistrano in California and then, like clockwork, go back to Goya around October 23. It's an inspiring event and a lot of faith food-for-thought for humans.

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