Hummingbird perched like an miniature statue on the feeder, waiting for me to leave.
For I had stepped outside on the porch while I finished talking to my mother on the phone.
Although I was within spitting distance, Hummingbird didn’t dart away. No ruffling of the feathers, no high-pitched protest. No turning of the head to stare me down. Neither did he drink.
When I went inside and watched him through the screen door, he came to life. His spear-like beak sipped sugar water from the hole in the feeder as though he were drinking through a straw.
Ever so gently, I opened the screen door. Would he fly away?
No. He stopped drinking, cocked his head heavenward, and waited as if he had all the time in the world.
Like a game of freeze tag, neither one of us moved a muscle.
Hummingbirds have scolded me from afar, waited for me to leave so they could swoop down and drink. Others have zoomed past my head like dive bombers, warning me to leave the area. But I’ve never encountered a hummingbird as stoic as this one.
Curiosity urged me to see how long Hummingbird could be still. But admiration and empathy for the brave little fellow made me surrender, let him win.
He had claimed his post, he would not be moved.
From the kitchen window, I watched Hummingbird quench his thirst.
And as my feathered friend clung to the feeder that provided him sustenance, I recalled this verse:
“My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him;
for my hope and expectation are from Him.
He only is my Rock and my Salvation;
He is my Defense and my Fortress,
I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 62:5,6)
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The simplicity of this message screams loudly! I also love the line that you “let him win.” There is a completely different blog idea in that simple phrase. I wonder how often I should step back and “let others win” rather than continuing the fight! Thanks for the thoughts, Karen
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You’re right Susan, there are several lessons to be gleaned. There was a phrase when I was raising children, “Pick your battles.” I think that phrase still applies when I’m dealing with people.
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Goosebumps! I love that !
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks Diane for sharing! 🙂
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Wow! You wrote of hummingbirds and I talked this morning of them with my friend M. She related sadly how one summer it was so hot that they clung to her glass patio door, searching for the coolness of the a/c through the pane. We also cling to the graciousness of the Lord when are hurt or lost. Thanks, Karen, for the reminder that even little creatures are needy of our care.
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Love my hummingbirds, and the way God uses his feathered creatures to teach me lessons.
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This verse really spoke to me tonight. I think I need to be less stoic in my current painful situation. I loved how you let the hummingbird “win.” I’d like to “win” from time to time, too. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
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Bethany, I don’t know what you’re going through that is painful, but I pray you will know when to stand firm, and when to be like a bendable reed!
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