Cardinal’s Missing Crown
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Psalm 103-2-4
This was the ugliest cardinal that I could find but it does not compare to what Tracy Joy Jones writes about in All God’s Creatures. If we looked this poorly, most of us would all have a desire to stay well hidden. We must be grateful that our heavenly Father loves us regardless of any deformaties.
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The first time I saw a cardinal without his crown, I wondered if I was seeing a zombie bird. His skin was black and leathery, his beak oversized and garish in his shrunken head. I googled him to make sure we weren’t about to be murdered by half-dead cardinals. Thankfully the scary creature haunting my bird feeder was simply the unfortunate victim of molting gone wrong.
Every summer since, I have watched for the headless troopers, often spotting them hiding in the bushes and avoiding the other cardinals. There’s something so familiar in the instinct to hide when vulnerable. It’s what drove Adam and Eve to hide in the Garden of Eden when caught in their sin. And it’s the same instinct many of us act on when life is less than ideal. I recently saw a meme poking fun at the idea that everyone’s life is perfect on Facebook. Like the cardinals, we don’t want to be seen without our crowns.
Yet the love of God runs counter to this instinct. God pursued Adam and Eve when they were naked and ashamed. And when I’m a molten mess, God’s unconditional love pursues me and receives me. When I turn to Him, I find grace, forgiveness, healing, and a crown of lovingkindness. That’s why Hebrews 4:16 encourages me to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” But as I watch the crownless bird finally leave his hiding place, fly to the feeder, and eat, my heart is reminded that I am always welcome at God’s table—no matter how ugly or fragile I feel. Especially when I am missing my crown.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
Almighty God, please heal our hearts and give us the boldness to come to You. Humble us to recognize our need for Your touch. AMEN.