One day – it’s probably been ten years ago now – I was feeling particularly low. I was the only one at home. It was a dreary, gray February day and I was standing at our big front window looking out over the lawn. The weight of the world was just bearing down on me. As I stood there with my coffee in hand, I shot up a quick prayer, asking God to give me some kind of sign, something that would encourage me.
I stood there lost in thought a few more minutes. I happened to glance up from my musings and noticed a Red Robin sitting there on my lawn. His bright red breast was such a contrast to the dead, brown grass and the dreary sky. As I watched him, it almost seemed like we made eye contact and stood there eyeing each other.
I looked down to take a sip of my coffee and as I looked back up again, all of a sudden about fifty of his friends where sitting there on my lawn. The red of their breasts was in such sharp contrast to all of the gray around them. Somehow, I knew I was in a moment here. Having them all show up on my lawn at that second wasn’t just a coincidence. I knew that my Creator was sending me a message that he was there and more importantly, that he would be with me, even at this lonely point in my life.
I was filled with peace, the weight lifted and I had a clear moment of creativity. I picked up my pad and paper and the words just flowed out of me to form this poem.
You bring your own sunlight with a beautiful glow
You brighten the gray skies and give me hope
God has not forgotten me
Red Robin now I know
You and your friends on my lawn paint a beautiful scene
Like a blanket that warms me and sooths my heart
God sent you to tell me
He’s right here and He’ll never part
Now I see God has me in the palm of His hand
Thank you for the message when I let myself sink so low
God has not forgotten me
Red Robin now I know
Once I had the poem down, I knew I wanted to turn it into a song. Though not a typical song structure, I came up with a melody to fit the sentiments of the lyrics. I haven’t ever recorded this one, but play it occasionally in live shows. Here’s a quick video we did a while back: