Hummingbird Lessons

When we focus on what we’ve been given, it’s usually more than enough.

I haven’t had many hummingbirds this year. I have no idea why. I hung my feeder in the spring like I always do and I patiently waited. I was so excited when the first one arrived and then the second, but I never got over three or four. Normally, I hang two feeders to keep them all fed, but this year, I only needed one and I kept it half full so the sugar water wouldn’t go bad before they could drink it.

But, about a week ago, traffic began to pick up. I had more visitors and I filled the feeder back up to the top. One morning last week, I watched two of the little birds viciously fight each other at the feeder. It was filled completely to the top. There were plenty of perches and plenty of food, yet instead of partaking of what had been freely given to them, they fought over who would get to feed there.

When I commented to my hubbby about how foolish they were acting and how much time they were wasting focusing on each other instead of what was in front of them, he commented, “Aren’t we all like that?”

I thought about those hummingbirds and his words for the rest of the day. He was right; we do tend to act like those foolish birds perhaps now more than ever. We have been slogging our way through a pandemic for six months now with no end in sight and we are weary. There has been a lot of sickness and death and yet there has been amazing provision as well.

The grocery stores are stocked once again. Toilet paper has made a comeback. Our hospitals are not overwhelmed and treatments are getting better, but instead of focusing on provision, we focus on each other. Who is wearing a mask? Who isn’t? Who is right? Who is wrong? Which school district is going back in person? Which is going virtual and why each is wrong or right? Even when parents can choose virtual or in person, it’s still a fight.

And of course, there’s all of the politics.

At closer inspection, we have a lot in common with those hummingbirds. What would happen if we were to prayerfully focus on the gifts we have been given at this moment, and if we are honest, it’s way more than we acknowledge, and stop concerning ourselves with what everyone else is doing? It may help if we begin with a large dose of humility admitting that none of us are in charge. None of us really know what we are doing and most everyone is doing the best that they can.

As I was writing, a verse popped into my mind. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

It seems to fit the times we are in, funny how the Bible works that way.

Some hummingbirds reminded me to focus on what we have and what we have been called to do. What everyone else is doing is between them and God. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂