I work part-time in an office which is located in the clubhouse in our neighborhood. The building was orginally a home where church gatherings were held. It has several bedrooms and the master bedroom was upstairs. It is a beautiful lofted room that we now use as a library and a play room for the children. The double windows in the room provide a peaceful view into the surrounding tall oak trees.

I do not go upstairs to the room often but when I do, I feel it is a place of peace.

About a week ago, as I typically do, I arrived early to open the building. I love to open before people start coming through the doors. I make myself a cup of coffee and walk into all of the rooms to ensure everything is in place and that we have no issues to deal with (i.e., messes from kids, broken laundry equipment, something else amiss ?, etc.).

So, that morning I sat down with my cup of coffee at the office desk and I quietly prepared my work area. I am an organized person that must have all of my ducks in alignment, with no clutter, and in a quiet space before the ‘zoo’ fires up for the day. Ha.

I then heard this repetitive noise upstairs. I didn’t hear any creaking floorboards, nor any footsteps. But, I wondered who was upstairs, and then I wondered if something (like the hot water heater – as it was once) was broken.

The noise continued, which sounded like a repetitve tap crossed with thud. What in the world? Being that I was the only person on-site, my responsibility was to go upstairs and determine where the noise was coming from.

I crept up the stairs (which remind me of the creaky beautiful steps in my grandparent’s home when I was as child…I so miss my people and that house). The moment I stepped onto the landing and looked straight through the doorway into the room, I saw movement at the window.

A fat young male cardinal was flying off of a tree branch and hitting the window.

It was a mild morning, temperature-wise, with brilliant sunshine. The bird appeared to be fat, so he was not starving. He looked healthy and robust.

I then thought about the stories that I have had heard about cardinals. I am not a suspicious person, but some say that a cardinal hitting a window is a bad sign of death.

Others say that cardinals are a representation of the blood of Christ. While others indicate that cardinals represent a link to our deceased loved ones.

I do feel the Lord was teaching me something that morning.

Psalm 12:7 (KJV):

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee.

Pray now, Father, I know you have been teaching me this month to use my gifts. To not just WANT to use my gifts, but to sit down and plan them out on paper, and take necessary steps to ‘get out there’ and use them. To not let them rot away and become covered with dust. This is my ministry, I hear you, Father. Thank you.

I also heard Matthew 6:26 (KJV):

Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Regardless of the message, my attention was and is still caught. It could be as simple as a bird that thought he could fly through the window, but I choose to believe that God was speaking. Pay attention to me, dear daughter. Listen to me, for I am guiding you…always. Do not hide your gifts. Continue with your plans as I laid them out before you many years before. Do it fearlessly. Do it as the young red bird was doing it…keep on making noise (through your writing and coaching). And I say, thank you Father for always being here. For being with me as far back as I remember. Thank you for being a supportive, loving Father, who always remains true to his word. You laid out a path for me before I was born. I want to honor your commands for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have you experienced something similar to my red-cardinal morning?