Question from a reader:
What are your thoughts on seeing a cardinal bird? Do you believe in the symbolism that they represent?
Answer from Stephanie Anderson, EPM staff:
I assume you are referring to the idea that a cardinal represents the memory, or sense of connection, with a loved one who has died? Or some seem to go as far as to say it’s a loved one sending a message.
Widow and author Clarissa Moll, an author we’ve referred many grieving readers to, writes:
Pennies on the sidewalk. Certain numbers. Dreams. Cardinals that land in the trees outside our homes. Friends, these are not messages our deceased loved ones are sending us.
While Christians believe that our loved ones are present with Jesus after they die, we are not ever told that communication with them will be possible. In fact, Scriptures such as Luke 16 seem to indicate that, even if it were possible to communicate with the dead, the living actually would glean very little from the experience.
The reality is, there is no secret language that transcends death. Death isn’t like summer camp; your person can’t send postcards back home. Sometimes, looking for a sign or message from your person can even distract you from solely relying on God for comfort instead.
I know what it means to long to hear your person’s voice or to receive reassurance of your person’s love for you. I’m a widow. I get it. But I’m also aware that many popular beliefs like these hold us back from moving forward into new life after loss. They’re not grounded in Scripture but rooted in our very human, brokenhearted longings. I’m reminded of Rob every time I see a mountain. However, I know the mountains are not a sign from Rob of his nearness but a picture from God of HIS nearness and steadfast love that endure through all my life (Isaiah 54:10).
The ‘gone-ness’ of our loved ones is something we may always wrestle with, and that’s okay. We can live joyful, deeply satisfying lives even if we stop looking for signs from our loved ones in the universe. We can release our loved ones to God’s care and say goodbye—even when it’s incredibly hard. We can ask God to reveal to us HIS presence in our sorrow—the one consolation that is guaranteed to meet our heart’s greatest desires.
(See also Do You Think Loved Ones Who Are Now With Jesus Can Send Us “Signs”?)
A cardinal is a wonderful reminder of our heavenly Father’s beauty, creativity, and goodness. So spotting one can point us back to God, the one who cares about every single sparrow (Matthew 10:29) and therefore, most certainly cares deeply about each of His children.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him’” (Lamentations 3:22-24).
