My niece Kim had an inspiring picture and quote on her Facebook page. I shared it on my own. A cardinal sits on a snowy pine. The caption is, “No matter what yesterday was like, birds always start the new day with a song.” I’ve noticed that, just by being who he is, no more and no less, a redbird’s song always makes me feel a whole lot better. Maybe it’s because it sounds like he is saying, “Cheer up; cheer up.”
Sometimes it’s hard to start the day with a song. A dream seems just out of reach; feelings are hurt; bodies grow fatigued; a harsh word clouds a sunny day. There’s something, though, about lifting up our heads and looking at a new day with hope that puts a song in the heart. And, if the song isn’t in our hearts, it can be in our mouths! That’s a funny thing but true.
Several times in the Old Testament, God commands the children of Israel to sing. He told the commander of the Israelite army to put the singers out in front. I can imagine when the battle was going against God’s people and the enemy looked mean and forbidding, the last thing they felt like doing was sing. But, they obeyed. I believe that as they sang, their courage rose. Songs do that. It’s miraculous. And, with the singers in front of the army, the army was probably encouraged too. That is, the Israelite army was encouraged; the invading army was totally discombobulated and wondered what was happening with this group of upstarts and were defeated.
Somehow, a cardinal flew into The Cemetery Club and landed on page 12 in Goshen Cemetery.
Was it the same bird or a different one that perched on a tree in an old orchard in Best Left Buried.?
Songs come in different shapes and sizes. Even if we are not gifted with a lovely voice, there is something we can do well, something that brings cheer to the day. Each person has a talent and sometimes that talent lies in knowing what to say or not to say, in just being present to lend a helping hand, a listening ear, or a caring heart. We can cheer the day for someone, even without knowing a thing about music. Caring is a wonderful gift, a blessed song to sing.
That cheerful cardinal may have had a very bad day yesterday. Maybe there was a close encounter with a cat. Or maybe all the worms and bugs had gone under cover. But, that was yesterday! Today everything may go his way and if it doesn’t, so what? He’s God’s creature. He’s unique and God gave him a song that only he can sing. So he’ll sing it, whether he feels like it or not. And, so should we.
Manos Mysteries
Blanche, this was great and encouraging reading! I really liked your insights to the “singers in the front”, too.
And I’ll not forget your redbird’s possible bad scenarios in his yesterday but singing the new next day in, anyway! : )
Thanks so much writing, Fran, and for your encouragement. I’m really glad you enjoyed this post.
Yes, this is a very encouraging post. We got home from vacation yesterday, hot and tired after spending the last 4 days on the road, only to discover the hot water heater is stone cold and the washing machine is broken! So we did the only thing possible. We went to bed! And this morning they are still not working, but repairmen are scheduled and things look much brighter. It’s going to be a wonderful day, praise the Lord!
Thanks for writing, Peg. I hope the appliances are fixed quickly. I had to have a new dryer after 30 some years and this morning, it was back to the vet for Nemo. He chewed off his bandage yesterday when I had left off his cone while I watered plants! But, as you said, it is going to be a wonderful day!