Created Perfectly by Our Creator: a lesson from a Cardinal
Published Jun 19, 2026
By Lisa Garnett 6/26
I saw a female cardinal today at the feeder. I thought about our perceptions of cardinals. We get excited
to see a bright red cardinal. He is so vibrant and beautiful. The red color is so striking, he really stands
out in a green background. The female is so different. Why is she considered dull or boring or even ugly?
Why do we not look at her or admire her like we do the male? Maybe we should! After all she is God’s
design.
I want to look at the female differently. Her feathers are not dull. They are a lovely golden brown that
subtlely turns into a darker red at the tip of her tail and wings. Now that is fashionable today – “ombre!”
Why is she so different from the male? She is designed to be a mother: one who is “safe” for her
children. One who can take care of her family in the best way possible. She does not draw attention to
herself, yet the crested feathers on her head are a “crown” that distinguishes her from other birds.
Why do we judge her and label her ugly, boring, dull? Why don’t we appreciate her and appreciate that
she is the way God created her to be? She is created with a purpose in mind (in God’s mind!)
We are also created by God – each one of us in a unique way, with a special purpose behind our design.
Why do we question God? Why do we judge ourselves and others? We label us as pretty, beautiful,
attractive or not.
The cardinal does not look in a mirror and decide she’s not good enough, or she doesn’t measure up to
the beauty of the male, (the bright red male.) She does not get depressed because of her appearance.
She lives out her life, being who she was created to be, and doing what she was created to do. God must
have thought she was perfect in his design for His creation is “good.” BUT we are “very good!” He
designed us. He created us. He gave us life and purpose: we can be loving and caring, a safe haven for
others, a good friend, a nurturer. We don’t need to, and should not, draw attention to ourselves. The
cardinal drew my attention to God – her creator. So, we too, should draw others’ attention to God – our
Creator.
