Feathers?
Blog Post #9
It’s strange, but not, and it happens most often when I’m more alive, alert, awake, and aware. It happened yesterday.
I was in a small art gallery and was drawn to a particular necklace. It was made of black leather and had two silver feathers hanging from the center. I couldn’t stop looking at it, so, what the heck, I tried it on. Of course I loved it and my husband loved it too, and told me I should buy it.
But two feathers...what does that mean? As the owner of the store chatted with Mike, I quickly grabbed my phone and looked up the Christian meaning of feathers.
My google source told me that, “In the Bible, feathers seem to speak of the idea of ‘covering’, of protection and of God’s loving care.” It even quoted Psalm 91:4 as evidence of this implied protection and care. Reading those words made me like the feather necklace even more.
I continued my research and found that “feathers have always represented a connection to spiritual realms and to divinity.” One article talked about how feathers represent virtues. It talked about feathers being made into three rings with each feather symbolizing the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and charity.
It occurred to me that I’ve never really paid that much attention to the word “feather” in the Bible. I guess it just never struck a chord or flipped a switch or aroused any kind of curiosity in my mind.
After much deliberation, I bought the necklace. It wasn’t super expensive, but it also isn’t Christmas and it’s not my birthday...and those are my favorite go-to excuses for spending money. Besides, wearing feathers around my neck would be like wearing a cross or crucifix, which I love to do. It’s a great reminder of where our real security comes from.
Later that night, Mike and I went out to dinner and we were walking past a store front window. There, in very large lettering was a piece of Scripture, so large that it covered the entire store-front. “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
I almost stopped breathing. What are the chances? Is God speaking to me directly? Is He offering me a hedge of protection? If so, why? Of all the thousands of Bible verses out there, THIS is the one painted across the store front? What does this mean?
Sometimes I think too much. I decided to chalk it up as a “sign” that I was, indeed, supposed to buy the necklace and that I would enjoy wearing it as a reminder that no matter what life brings, I will always be under the protection of a mighty Savior Who loves me, Who guards me, and Who will always cover me with His feathers.