THE CARDINAL
LUKE 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings (pennies), and not one of them is forgotten before God.
“Rainy, cold and dreary today,” the radio weather forecaster announced as I stood in front of my kitchen window, doing the mindless task of washing dishes. All the while I was rehearsing painful scenes from the past and feeling sorry for myself. The weather matched my mood perfectly.
My thoughts of self pity were broken when a flaming red cardinal swooped across the patio, right in front of my kitchen window. He was gorgeous, and free, and actually seemed to be enjoying that cold, dreary day. I was mesmerized as he hopped around the patio, flitted from the bench to the grill, then to the concrete floor. Watching his beauty and grace jolted my thinking right out of the pit and onto the greatness of the Almighty Creator. A God powerful enough to speak the entire universe into existence, and yet caring enough to know every movement of each tiny little bird, is certainly capable of handling my problems. My self pity vanished.
Then just as quickly as he came, the cardinal flew across the lawn and off to the neighbor’s back yard. I watched him as long as I could see him, and I thought to myself, “I hope my neighbor’s standing by her kitchen window. She just might need a reminder that things aren’t really so bad.”
God in Heaven, how I thank You for sending sweet reminders of Your greatness when things seem dark and dreary.
By Ann Shorb
© Copyright Ann Shorb, 2008
