The Symbolic Mourning Doves

This is an excerpt from the novel Common Sense: Listening to the Spirit.

Jim and Lilia unsaddled and unbridled all four horses, brushed them down, and released them into the paddock. Lilia leaned on the paddock fence, and gazed thoughtfully at the meadow behind the paddock. It looked golden in the setting sun and perfect like the Garden of Eden. Green leaves reflected gold and it was as if a halo shone over every plant. Two doves lighted on the fence opposite her.

She said, "Look Jim, two doves." The two doves coo-cooed and sang a sad song to each other.

"It's evening. Aren't they morning doves? Why are they here now?" Jim asked with interest.

She looked at him with meaning, "They're not called morning doves Jim, named after the earlier part of the day, but mourning doves, named after the emotion of death."

A moment passed while she stared into space. Jim watched her carefully and knew she had received special knowledge of some kind. Up until now, the day had been perfect, so he didn't ask her, and he didn't want to know.

"Pray for strength Jim, we don't have what it takes to get through life on our own. Remember what it says in John 15:5 ' . . . apart from me you can do nothing.'"

He understood that something portentous had happened. He let it go. He wasn't Lilia and he didn't have the desire to know of the future or anything other than right now. He tried to distract her with his affection and love, and she let him. She also understood that her knowing couldn't change anything, so she let him wrap her in his arms. They most certainly had their moments of passion, but this wasn't one of them. It was a time of contentment in perfect peace with each other and their surroundings. They listened to the birds sing their last song, and then to the chorus of crickets and frogs. It relaxed them both so much just leaning on each other that they didn't want to lose the moment, and they let it be.

Lilia sighed, and turned to kiss Jim softly. He said with quiet peace, "It's been a real nice day honey. I'd better go home. I love you." He kissed her so sweetly that Lilia heard the singing of angels. They surrounded the couple and poured out a literal chorus of melodic harmony. He ended the kiss and gazed at her carefully.

"Jim, do you hear the chorus of angels singing?" she peered up at him with sincerity and awe.

"No honey, I don't," he replied uncertainly.

"They're celebrating something.The music makes our music on earth sound like the banging of cans together. It is perfect bliss," she said as she hugged him.

He hugged her back, kissed her on the forehead, and then gently caressed her lips with his. He said, "I wish every day could be like today."

"I do too, my Jim." He held her hand extended out and said, "I guess I should go," even though he didn't want to leave.

"Good night Jim, I love you," she cooed. He turned and walked to his truck. He felt full of peace, love, and God's Light.