A Nod from God [CHOOSING JOY by Katie Albers]

Each morning, just after sunrise, I hear his familiar call.  I peek out my kitchen window and see a lovely, red cardinal singing from the top of my cherry tree.  He is a bright spot of crimson in the drab world of brown and gray that is winter in Kentucky.  I watch and listen for a moment before he takes flight again.  It is as if each day he just wants to say, “Good morning!” to me before going about his birdy business.

Something about my daily visits from the cardinal draws me closer to God.  Perhaps it is the sweet song that he sings that grabs my ears and teases me to find him.  Perhaps it is the pause in my morning routine, the stillness and concentration of searching for that bit of red.  Perhaps it is the consistency of seeing him every morning and the friendship that I feel for him that starts my day with peace.  Regardless, during those few instants that I see my redbird, I am immediately compelled to pray to God.

“For this is what the high and exalted One says-- He who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”   Isaiah 57:15 (NIV)

Christmas will be here soon and there is lots of busyness everywhere, but I know it is important to look for nods from God everywhere.  Praise God that He gives us moments like a daily visit from a cardinal to bring joy to our spirits.  May we be diligent to notice these nods and acknowledge God in them!