I always love to hear a Cardinal sing.   His song has a distinct, pure sound and cadence that just makes my heart skip a beat.  Stopping to look overhead, with the hope of spotting its vibrant color among the tree branches is as natural to me as taking my next breath.  When I do find this vision of red, I can’t help but get excited.  I so enjoy listening to his song and watching him as he sings.  Quite often, where one might find the brilliantly colored male Cardinal, his mate who is dressed in a more subdued fashion can be found nearby.  At times, they can be heard calling to each other, as they are known to choose a mate for life, a fact that is very endearing to me.   

The Cardinal has been very special to me since my childhood.  You see…my love for the Cardinal began when I was in Kindergarten at DeQueen Elementary School in Port Arthur, Texas.  One day my teacher, Mrs. Horn, told us that we should make a wish every time we see a Cardinal, or more affectionately known as the Red Bird to a classroom full of five and six year old children.    Now, I must add that when my teacher told us something, it was the “gospel” so to speak…she knew everything!  So from that day forward, that is what I did and, I must admit, still do, resulting in quite an array of wishes through the years.

As a child, my Red Bird wishes ranged from wishing for a new doll, a tiny new kitten or puppy, all the way to a hopeful wish for a new bike.  Honestly, I can’t really list the wishes that have come true, but it has always been a source of delight and excitement for me.  Every time a Cardinal passes my way or shares his melody from a distance, it just seems to stir up a sense of hope or what I call, joyful anticipation, in me, causing me to thank God for what He is going to do.  Each time, a wish is made and hope sets in…

As I said, I still make my wish each time I see a Cardinal but, honestly, as the years have passed and I am no longer that child wishing for a new puppy, my wishes have actually become what I refer to as, prayerful wishes.  I no longer just quickly make my wish, but now do so in a prayerful attitude.  I still can have a variety of “wishes” but for quite a few years now, I have one prayerful wish that is whispered more often than not.  It’s something I long for and truly trust that, in God’s time, will come to fruition.  

Each time I see one of my cherished Cardinals, or hear his song, I feel as if God is reminding me that He has not forgotten my hopes and prayers…that I simply need to wait on Him.  His timing is always perfect.  He always knows what is best. 

Do I believe that the Cardinal, singing his delightful melody, can grant my wishes? No, not at all, but I do believe, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that God hears my Cardinal inspired, prayerful wishes and tucks them safely away until the perfect time to pour out His blessings. But until then, I will continue to find delight and a sense of hope in this beautiful bird that God created…my favorite…the Cardinal.