There was just enough daylight to activate the torque clock "off" switch to our back yard security light when I took my second cup of coffee out to the gazebo to ponder upon the probable events of the day. After a whispered thank you to the Lord for a restful night and the opportunity to view another beautiful sunrise, I looked around to see how much life giving dew was clinging to the grass and plants. Since we have been through quite a long dry spell, just a little moisture must be appreciated by the greenery that is left. My "thank yous" are like that. In about two more months I can celebrate Thanksgiving Day as the beginning of my eighth year after four-bypass open heart surgery. I had veen unaware of the things of this world for four days when I heard the nurse ask me to wake up as I had just had my Thanksgiving dinner a drop at a time. Since then, I never take another meal of another day "just for granted".
The night light had attracted it's usual insect crop and many were victims of getting too close to the heat or flying into the building wall. The early birds have found this to be the best cafeteria in town, and I suppose I was interrupting their meal schedule as suddenly a flash of scarlet streak-winged by me and I noted the flight of a beautiful male Cardinal to the large elm tree in my neighbors back yard. I know this is only a stepping stone from one place to another as he journeys through his day of seeking food and avoiding his enemies. Really, his home is in a very dense forsythia bush surrounded by vines and other shrubbery. He and Mrs. Red planned it that way. The old white cat next door can not penetrate to their home, they have lots of shade, the all-night light draws many bugs for an early breakfast, and when the new babies arrive they can jump from branch to branch until the parents peck them into flying on their own. Proud papa finds the highest perch and brags about his state in life. I think he is fortunate and one of the most beautiful of all creatures. The thought occurs-God must have taken a white dove of peace and dipped it in the blood of the Lamb. I guess it is seemingly juvenile to most people, but for years I have used the Cardinal as a reminder to lift a wish heavenward (a cheap form of prayer). You can use a white horse, four leaf clover, or a buckeye, but Cardinals stay here the year around and when I was struggling through snow drifts or over icy roads on my rural mail route, I looked for a covey of red birds along the river roads. I am glad I have one for a neighbor.
God created us with certain instincts, the five senses, and incentives for a station in life. Learn to be pleased with plenty, satisfied with sufficient, appreciative for ample, but do not take all the credit as does Mr. Cardinal and his proud song. Mama Red is quieter but just as distinctive in her grey suit trimmed with red flecks, and she is always watchful and using the instincts granted by the Creator.
You know, after pondering...I think it is going to be a great day. -Russell Wood
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