A wonderfully restful and refreshing few days in the North-East of England – sharing a country cottage in the rolling hills of County Durham with my son’s family – was graced by the constant presence of five doves, who lived happily on the premises.

I couldn’t help applying spiritual lessons from their company, as they were such an integral part of our experience there and really did seem to add extra peace to our holiday.

The owner had left us specific instructions on feeding them, if we felt inclined to do so. Sure enough, they soon welcomed us, fluttering across the garden with their pure white wings outstretched before gently swooping down to our doorstep.

That first sight of them brought to mind the picture of Jesus’ baptism when the Holy Spirit alighted on him as a dove (Matt 3:16), still seen as a worldwide symbol of peace.

As most readers will know, the Bible contains five Books of the Law (the Torah), fulfilled in bodily form by Jesus (Matt 5:17), the Word made flesh, who through the Holy Spirit helps us to keep the Law and even writes it on our hearts as we experience our personal Pentecost (Ezek 36:27).

And I thought of five 'Ps' to sum up the gift of these beautiful birds we had on brief loan – purity, peace, power, provision and permanence, the latter denoting faithfulness because it is said that they mate for life.

On the question of provision, it is true that although we were privileged to provide them with the owner’s daily portion, God is well able to look after them himself (Matt 6:26). And our involvement was also a picture of how sowing seed allows the Spirit to give growth.

Most of all, the doves reminded us of God’s constant presence with his disciples.

Author: Charles Gardner