This sweet, true story by contributing writer Angela Rodriguez reminds us how much God cares for us.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all.”

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Today as I look at my beautiful white cockatiel named Casper, these words from Emily Dickinson’s famous poem come to mind. Just a week ago, I thought hope had run out for my treasured “Psalm 91” bird. In fact, it seemed unlikely that he would make it through the night.

Some of you may have read the story I wrote about Casper a few years ago where I described his unusual habit of spreading his wings over my feet while singing. He rubs his soft little head on them as he makes kissing sounds. Next, he marches back and forth around my feet as if guarding them. This is why I call him my “Psalm 91 bird” as it reminds me of Psalm 91:4 which declares, He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you shall take refuge (NKJV). Every time Casper hovers over my feet, I can see that his wings are shaped like a heart.

When this happens, I reflect on the love of my Savior Jesus, who provides refuge in the secret place of His heart. When I wrote the book Psalm 91: Under the Wings of Jesus, Casper was one of my inspirations, and this is why I devoted an entire chapter to him.

On July 16, 2023, my Psalm 91 bird went from being lively and playful to lethargic and listless. His familiar songs and chirps ceased as his breathing became increasingly labored. If you’ve ever cared for a bird, you may know that when they suddenly show signs of illness, it can mean it’s already too late. Unlike other pets, birds are especially fragile when it comes to injuries, sickness or disease. Previously, I owned a parrotlet named Charlie who passed away within 24 hours of illness. Not only was I alarmed at Casper’s sudden illness, I also realized something important about the July 16 date. It was exactly 11 years ago on July 16, 2012, that I almost lost my life after being thrown off a horse in Bryce Canyon, Utah. As I fell to the ground, so did the very large horse. He was just inches away from crushing my body when miraculously something lifted his body up, sparing me certain death. During the horseback ride, I had prayed Psalm 91, as well as a friend whom the Lord had prompted to intercede. I knew it couldn’t be a coincidence that we both prayed the same psalm. After the accident, my journey into researching Psalm 91 began, and years later I would write Psalm 91: Under the Wings of Jesus.

As I came to this revelation, I became overwhelmed with sadness. After all, my Psalm 91 bird was fighting for his life on the same date I almost died many years ago. Worse yet, because it was the weekend, the avian vet was not available to examine him. Feeling hopeless, I started sobbing uncontrollably. That’s when my son Jonah walked up to me and said something I will never forget. “Mom, I can’t believe it. You’re going to let the enemy win? Don’t let him do this to you.” It was then that I came to my senses and understood what was happening. The enemy was trying to attack and discourage me. Worse yet, I was letting him do it!

Soon after my son’s comment, I spoke with my mother and told her about Casper. She immediately said, “Angela, have you thought laying hands on him and praying? In James 5:14-15 it says ‘Is anyone among you sick… let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up.’” After she said this, I remembered that in February 2015, my local church had laid hands on my son Jonah and prayed for his healing. At the time he was suffering greatly and it seemed like there was no hope to be found. After the prayers, great miracles took place in my son’s life and continue to this day. As if in sync with what the Holy Spirit was saying, my mother brought this up in our conversation, encouraging me to have faith for Casper’s healing. Next, she shared that her brother-in-law was recently healed of a heart blockage after his local church laid hands on him and prayed. “If we can pray this way for humans, there’s no reason it can’t be done for a little bird. You and Jonah can lay hands on him and pray,” she insisted.  In that moment, I felt a surge of hope as I understood what I needed to do.

Laying hands on Casper

With renewed faith, I told Jonah we wouldn’t let the enemy win. I asked him to pray over Casper with me. He quickly agreed and then without missing a beat, he carefully took Casper out of his cage. Casper’s eyes were closed and he could barely step up to perch on Jonah’s finger. I gently placed my hand on Casper’s back, touching the top of his wings. That in itself was a small miracle because usually I would receive a swift bite for doing something like that. Instead, Casper was calm as my son and I prayed Psalm 91 for him. After the prayer I felt faith rise up in me like a bird flying in the air. I went to sleep that night with hope instead of sadness.

The next morning, I woke up and checked on Casper. To my delight he was eating his food and even playing with his toys. I heard a few chirps as he moved around his cage. When I picked him up, his eyes were fully open as he spread his wings over my hand while stretching. A big change was happening before my very eyes and I knew the prayers had worked. Later that day I was able to get an appointment with his vet. Upon examining him, she offered some great news about his condition. Though he was fighting off some sort of infection, his airways were clear and his organs were functioning well. She remarked how feisty he was for being such a sick bird. My son and I were ecstatic because we knew what caused the sudden change in Casper. The power of prayer had taken flight in our hearts and there was nothing that could bring us down to the ground!

Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the Thing with Feathers” is a wonderful reminder that hope is something that lives inside us all, especially if we know Christ as our personal Savior. In times of sickness or trouble, we are never alone. Like a bird, hope is perched inside us, singing its never-ending tune. The poem goes on to say:

“And sweetest–in the Gale–is heard–
And sore must be the storm–
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm.”

These words tell believers that it’s during the storms of life when the song of hope becomes the sweetest. Not only does it give warmth to the person who has hope, but also to the people who witness its effect.

The last lines are quite profound:

“I’ve heard it in the chilliest land–
And on the strangest Sea–
Yet–never–in Extremity,
It asked a crumb–of me.”

Literary analysts say that the last stanza of Dickinson’s poem declares that hope remains strong even in the harshest conditions. Like a small bird that can exist on crumbs, hope doesn’t ask for anything in return. It is always there, patiently waiting for us to take hold of it. But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for my salvation; my God will hear me, Micah 7:7.

I am amazed how Jesus is always bringing me back to hope, as well as the truth of His Word. It’s easy to forget these truths when we are under stress, or when the enemy tries to steal this hope through discouragement, fear and doubt. In these times, Jesus circles us back to the truth so that instead of becoming stagnant with a stalled engine, we can move forward with wings of faith.

I’m so happy my “Psalm 91 bird” is back to himself. Jesus placed his healing wings around this sweet bird who has given me so much joy and inspiration. The experience with Casper strengthened my belief in the power of prayer, as well as my son’s. It also taught me that every time the enemy attempts to steal this powerful truth, I cannot give him the time of day!

Lord Jesus, thank you for the power of your Word. It brings hope to every believer, perching in their souls like a song that never ends. Thank you for the beauty of the birds, as they remind us that we are always under your healing wings. Alas, hope is the thing with feathers.

Casper is back to himself.

Have you experienced a healing miracle in your life, or in the life of a loved one? How did you hold on to hope during that difficult time?

Angela Rodriguez is an author, blogger and homeschooling Mom who studies the historical and biblical connections between Israel and the United States. You can visit her blogs at 67owls.com and 100trumpets.com. Her latest book, Psalm 91: Under the Wings of Jesus, was released in June 2021. Photo Credits: Angela Rodriguez.