THUMP.
My heart pounded as I tiptoed down the steps. Maybe I should’ve grabbed a baseball bat. I took a deep breath, swung open the door – and BAM – there he was, caught in the act.
A bird, a silly cardinal was flying into the window. He attacked the glass, flew away, and then circled back to try it again.
I figured he’d soon give up. But no, he didn’t. He kept trying … and trying. In the meantime, he was making a mess, smearing up my window. And probably hurting himself.
After a few minutes he tried another approach. He flew around the house and smacked into the front entryway windows. He did this all day. Not constantly, mind you, but periodically throughout the day. This went on for several days – and continued for weeks. No, I’m not kidding. It drove my crazy.
My mom suggested we set a hose or a toy snake outside the window, thinking it might scare him away. It didn’t.
Eventually, as spring turned to summer, he finally moved on. But every spring that cardinal came back and did it again. I know, what are the chances? Maybe it’s a different cardinal, but how would I know? They all look alike.
The other day I was working in my office and heard a noise. I looked up to see him perched on top of our entryway window. Like a little red stalker, he just sat there, peering into my house.
This bird baffles me. I mean, God created him to fly around and explore this great, big wonderful world. He should be enjoying his freedom. Instead, he beats himself up; trying to find a way inside the house. Or he sits on the ledge, constantly looking in.
Like my little cardinal friend, it was messy – and oftentimes painful.
Now that I’m a mom, I see things differently. As my girls begin their journey through the teen years, I’m trying to encourage them. I want them to have the confidence to be who God created them to be. I hope they can be free of comparing themselves to others. After all, God made each one of them unique. One-of-a-kind. And He never intended for them to sit on the outside looking in.
Now, if only I could convince that crazy cardinal to fly away and be free. If you have any ideas, I’m open for suggestions!
“Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?” – Ian Wallace
Great blog we had a robin that did that to our basement window every spring for about 3 years. Knock on wood he hasn’t been back the last few years. I was told they see their reflections and they are try to protect their areae . Not sure if that’s the case or not but it is VERY annoying.
The strange part is how he’ll fly around from the back of the house to the front … like he’s on a mission. He has about five different windows that are his “windows of choice.” Yes, it is driving me crazy. At first I thought, “Ahhh look at the cardinal!” Now I’m more like “GO AWAY YOU CRAZY BIRD!!”
We had a robin do that last year. We happened to have two pictures of our son and daughter that was not in a frame and put each picture on the window and behold, the bird stopped pecking at the window. LOL
That’s funny! I had tried just tacking up plain poster board … maybe I should try pictures!
Great analogy, Sheri. It sounds like a devotion! I remember taking piano lessons as a child, and a bird continually did that in my teacher’s front room where we had the lesson. She was really casual about it, but I was a bit alarmed. I first wondered if maybe your windows were too clean, but it sounds like a bigger problem that great home maintenance.
I can pretty much guarantee that it’s not because my windows are too clean! 🙂 We must just have crazy, confused cardinals around here. Thanks for stopping by, Hally!
Sheri,
This was an excellent read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Love your blogs!
Thanks Darrell. Appreciate your words of encouragement!
Cute story with a great message!
Thank you Doris, I appreciate you stopping by!
Hi Sheri! I’m stopping over from Compel! Unbelievable that you have a cardinal also! I have had one pounding my window at work for at least a year and a half! I papered the window, hung pix of owls, tried everything – he’s still there. Great story! I totally identify with trying to fit in as a teen!
Well if nothing else, at least I’m not the only one to experience this strange phenomenon. Crazy cardinals!
Thanks for visiting the blog!