Cardinals

Our pastor recently mentioned that he likes to shop at Lowe’s grocery store in Johnson City. It is only a twelve-minute drive from his home, and once inside the store, there is more to choose from than groceries. Would you believe the grocery store is also the site of Ace Hardware? 

Though he didn’t say, another upside to shopping in Johnson City is that he can get to the store from his home without the bother of a traffic light.  In addition, nothing is more scenic than the Texas Hill Country. 

In addition, the setting provides a full array of choices.  Some would say it is an ideal setting for any man to shop. You can pick up a steak to grill and a full array of nuts and bolts.

Our pastor is a man with discriminating taste. He likes to purchase birdseed from Lowe’s. Reportedly, it contains less chaff than you can find elsewhere.  At the risk of being misunderstood, I guess I should clarify that our pastor doesn’t eat birdseed. Of course, he didn’t specifically say that, but it stands to reason that he would much prefer a steak.  Then again, that might be projection on my part.

As he was leaving the store, a man in the parking lot noticed he was carrying birdseed and thanked him for taking care of the birds. Actually, the man in the parking lot said, “May you be blessed for taking care of the birds.”

He thought to himself: the birds are the blessing. In sharing his story, he listed the types of birds that can easily be sighted around his home. From the birds that he identified, my favorite was the cardinal. I consider a cardinal to be a reminder of hopefulness.

A dear friend commissioned a stained glass window for installation in our fellowship hall at church in memory of her husband.  It was reminiscent of the light that filled his hospital room at the moment of his death. I was privileged to witness the light, and can attest to her memory. Of course, inclusion of the cardinal symbolizes eternal life.

I guess you could say that cardinals are associated with color and life. Our pastor and his wife operate an Airbnb and have a chalk board for guests to write down what they saw while they were there.  Interestingly, one guest noted a large number of red baby eagles.

Obviously the birds were cardinals, but the symbolism of an eagle also seems to fit. I found this associated to an eagle: “An eagle signifies inspiration, release from bondage, victory, longevity, speed, pride, father and royalty.”

All My Best!

Don