Lucky me! I have had the privilege of seeing a fair number of cardinals lately. There are several families of them living in my yard.  They are loyal to their homes and don’t migrate away. They rarely stray more than a mile throughout their lives. Ever since I was little, when we see a cardinal, we cheerfully say, “Well, hello, Mr. (or Mrs.) Cardinal!”

The picture above was taken on the intercoastal waterway, and if you look closely, you will see what I initially thought was a random flower. Instead, it was a regal cardinal surveying the lake, and me. Some people equate seeing cardinals with the idea that they are being visited by the spirit of a loved one who has passed away. “When a cardinal appears, a loved one is near.”

According to the fountain of information known as ChatGPT, this thought originated most likely due to the fact that cardinals appear unexpectedly, are hard to miss due to their bright plumage, and the color red has long been associated with life (blood), love, and the spirit. The additional feature of them being local birds means that you will likely see the same one, or same family, multiple times. Apparently, some cultures believe birds can pass from the spirit world to the physical world. I wonder if that stemmed from the Holy Spirit of God descending “like/as a dove” and landing on Jesus at His baptism. (Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 3:21-23).

There are a couple of examples in scripture of people who passed away appearing to those still alive, but no birds are mentioned, and God’s stand on conjuring up the dead is not a favorable one. But I’m not sure whether post-death visitation in the current day happens or not. I know there are reminders, memories, and feelings of loved ones being around – even that they may be leading or guiding loved ones. That is a discussion for another day.

What we DO know is “the only *mediator* between God and man is Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5), and He is the One we know for SURE sees us (Matthew 10:30-31 among other verses), hears us (1 Peter 3:12 and other verses), and is present with us (John 14:23 plus other verses).

The feeling of nearness from a loved one who has died brings comfort and warmth – even though we likely disagreed with that loved one from time to time, or they may have let us down once or twice. Or vice versa. Isn’t it nice to know that Jesus, who knows us completely and died for us anyway, is in it for the long haul with us!

“For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage”. (Psalm 94:14), and Jesus said, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

We know Jesus is with us because cardinals remind us of our loved ones, or butterflies, or clouds, or whatever it is that feels like a hug from someone we miss…

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The Lord Jesus knows what we need when we need it, so next time you feel hugged by someone who has passed away, remember that Jesus loves you and is comforting you with His presence and His love for you.