The Promise of a Dove

This morning, something hit my window and woke me up. I heard some flapping of wings and then a coo. I peaked through the blinds wondering if this pigeon was okay, only to be shocked by a beautiful dove.

I thought it was really cool, but later on, I remember thinking... this is uncanny! First of all, I've never seen any animal outside my window (my window shows nothing but the wall of the next building close by), but now a dove! Second, I lead a small group named the Turtle Doves, so a dove has special meaning to me. Third, just last night, I read a verse, "Be wise as snakes and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). Maybe... God's trying to tell me something.

The past few days have been harder on me. For some reason, my body is in a lot more pain, and there's nothing we can do about it. I started having some doubts and my broken-down spirit cried within myself...."must I go through this forever?" "Will you leave me like this God?"

I think God responded by sending me that dove. Doves represent many things in the Bible, but particularly peace and love. Maybe God's telling me he won't harm me? ("Harmless as doves...") or maybe He's just affirming me (He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said,  "This is my Son whom I love, with him I am well pleased" - Matthew 3:16-17). OR, maybe he's telling me that although I am in pain now, those days will soon be over (the dove is a messenger of safety in Genesis 8).

I can't figure quite figure it out, but more than the meaning behind the dove, I think God just wants me to know that... through all this praying and crying and waiting, He's listening to me.