Monday's Musings

Red Bird

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 139, Matthew 10:29-31

“Vincent, quick.  Come here!” I scoop my son into my arms; hold him up to see out the window above our kitchen sink.  “A red bird, Vincent.  Do you see?”  His eyes light up as he sees the proud cardinal perched on the milk jug bird feeder only four feet away from the window – the milk jug bird feeder his sister and I made and decorated with washable paint only two week ago – the milk jug bird feeder that is now only a milk jug hanging on a hook because the paint washed off after the first rain. 

As we watch the bird my son grows completely still in my arms.  We quietly observe the cardinal peck the seeds, moving his head skittishly in and out of the feeder.  His back is to us but as he shells the seeds his head darts around to look in our direction.  The cardinal is on alert, trying to determine if we are a threat. 

“Vincent, look!  He’s watching you.  He sees you.”  Vincent’s parted mouth turns upward in an innocent smile as he makes eye contact with the bird.  “Hi Bird!  See Elmo?” he exclaims, thrusting his Elmo doll proudly forward for the bird to see.  In response the cardinal’s crest bristles, showing his alarm at the sudden movement.  Yet he remains perched on the edge of the jug, skittishly pecking at seeds both big and small.  “Red.” Vincent states matter-of-factly.  Vincent is looking at the Elmo doll in his arms and I know he is making the connection that both Elmo and the bird are red.  “Yes Vincent.  Elmo is red and the bird is red.”  We stand silent a few moments longer, studying the cardinal who continues to hop along the edge of the feeder, shooting wary glances in our direction.  “He’s looking at you Vin.  He sees you.”  The grin returns to Vincent’s face as bird and boy become buddies. 

My children delight in the thought that a wild animal sees them.  They derive great pleasure from the idea that an untamed creature, busy in their pursuits, pauses long enough to notice them.  “They find me interesting too?”  “I matter?”  “We are friends?” 

Is not Vincent’s delight in being noticed by the cardinal representative of a desire within all of us?  Do we not all long to be seen?  For our accomplishments to be noted, recorded, delighted in?  For our sorrows to be perceived, felt, mourned over?

Rest assured, He sees you.  He knows the very number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30).  He knows your thoughts before you speak them (Psalm 139:2).  He studies you as you study the red bird.  He delights in you.  Sings over you (Zephaniah 3:17).  Rejoices in you.    You are of utmost significance in His eyes for He created you, died for you, and longs for you for all of eternity (1  John 3:9).

And surely when you are suffering, His eyes never wonder.  You are the widow in the crowd (Luke 7:11-15).  You are Hagar in the desert (Genesis 16:13).  He is the God that sees you in your trials. 

The bird, surely overstuffed by now, flies away and we grow distracted by the morning routine.  But it lingers all day, the assurance that we are indeed seen.