Here’s our story where it all started: the front porch. I gave this poem to Jon when we were dating. We now have it hanging on our wall (near the porch).
The Front Porch Cardinal
By: Quina Parchment
Remember that rare, red cardinal
that came near
and caused us to pause
with warm smiles of mirth
at each other
when we first
revealed our desires
for more with one another
on my front porch?
The same place—
I don’t think you fully knew then—
I have met with my Maker
to fellowship
many times before
where the forgiving, morning sun
has kindly lit up
pages proclaiming
His timeless love,
drawing me with gentle rays
to pray and receive
grace upon grace
at the threshold
between
my house
and the rest of the world.
And there you were, genuine
plopped as it were
by His giving hand
upon my front porch
gently, intentionally
pursuing me,
first as a friend
in a wintery season
that threatened to keep
me frozen indoors…
“What humor!” I thought,
What kindness
that Abba would pour
such grace as balm
to refresh
my soul’s callous
from that past season’s sores
and draw me again
through glimpses of Him
in your words, service, and worship
to this
front porch fellowship,
this missed,
nearly forgotten
daily renewal within,
with Him.
And now you, it seems
have become to me
that rare, red cardinal
who so beautifully,
surprisingly
has appeared
and keeps appearing to me,
causing me to pause
and smile while your brilliance of
stunning color,
so apparently displayed
thanks to His light
constantly catches my eye
and fills me with delight
to find your presence in my life
function so as to
move my feet
that they might
bring me again
to meet
outside
with my,
with our
Husband
our Maker and Savior,
forgiving Abba
who knows how to give
good gifts,
even cardinals, rare and red
to those who are His,
that they,
that I,
might find
the Giver the Gift,
savoring Him
singing praises with this
rare, red cardinal,
my best friend
drawn all the more
to front porch fellowship
with Him.
