A Red Bird Under A Purple Tree
I woke up to a dark room. There was no sunshine coming through the window. I wasn’t sure what time it was, but I assumed it wasn’t the wee hours of the morning. I walked towards my bedroom window, pulled back the curtains, and pushed the blinds up. It was a very overcast day. I had no idea that it was going to be cloudy. After checking the weather, I found out that it was supposed to rain. I went about my morning the same as I always do. After a very brief few minutes, I heard a familiar sound. It was one of rain falling onto the ground. I admired the view from my window once more, and then walked into the kitchen for breakfast.
I’m not sure how long the rain lasted. I had pulled every curtain and raised the blinds for every window in the house. I could watch the rain fall from wherever I was standing. I remember walking into the living room, and I noticed that it was getting brighter. I looked out the door to see the sun start peaking through the very ominous clouds. The first time the sun had been visible that day.
I hastened towards my bedroom to get the view from my window. As I made it to the window, I saw the sweetest sight. There was a cardinal. The sun seemed to reflect off his bright fiery feathers. He stood there in all of his beauty on the freshly rain-soaked ground. He began poking around the dirt. He was underneath a few small trees in our backyard that have begun the process of blooming purple flowers. What a contrast. The flaming red feathers and the soft purple flowers. As I watched him poke around, I was remembering what he was doing.
You see, about a month ago, my husband and I dedicated our Saturday to a decent amount of yard work. Between the both of us, we mowed the grass, raked the leaves, burnt some trash… You get the picture. The next morning, Sunday morning, we looked out our window to find dozens of birds poking around. Apparently, when you do yard work or if it rains, the Earth’s surface becomes an open buffet. Birds and other small critters will find a variety of seeds, worms, and other delicious treats. Our little cardinal friend was enjoying this buffet after the rain.
As I watched him dance around, it came to my mind that he was enjoying the blessings after a storm. He had probably been perched up somewhere trying to stay dry while the rain was pouring down. No doubt he probably experienced some of the rain coming down on him. I wonder if he knew what would happen after the rain.
While he was waiting on the storm to pass, was he thinking of how much provision there would be after the rain ended? Did he know that things would get better? I do not know what goes through a bird’s brain, but part of me would like to imagine that he did know things would get better. He might’ve been sitting there during the rain and thinking, “As soon as the storm is over, I know exactly where I’m going to be. I’m going to be the first to enjoy the open buffet that’s under that tree.” God took care of this cardinal by providing him with a nice lunch when the rain had ended.
You might be the cardinal in the middle of the storm. You don’t know when the rain will end, and you are just patiently waiting until you can experience the blessings of God that He has promised you.
We read in Matthew 6:26-27 (NLT):
26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
The God who takes care of the birds is taking care of you. No matter how bad the rain looks, and regardless of how long it takes… When the storm that you are currently in passes over, everything He has promised will be right there waiting for you.
My little cardinal friend didn’t wait for the other birds. He flew down and began dancing in what God had provided for him. You should do the same. Don’t wait for anyone. Dance in those promises!
-HLP