Tag Archives: hummingbirds

Waste ~ Five Minute Friday

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You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.'” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT)

Dive Bomber

I’ve probably written these words before, but it continuously amazes me how much bird behavior can mirror the way we humans act. One of the frustrating parts about feeding hummingbirds is having what I call a “dive bomber.” You can usually hear them before you see them. They are the ones who sit just above the feeder and then whiz in to chase any other hummingbird away from the waiting nectar, even though there’s plenty to go around.

Every summer I see the same thing happen, there’s room for six guests around the feeder but five remain empty because one hummer doesn’t want to share. The result? A lot of wasted nectar. Just because it wants it all, doesn’t mean it can use it all. And so, the sweet liquid spoils, leaving me no option but to throw it out and begin again. Maybe you can tell I’m gritting my teeth as I type. Like I said, frustrating!

But isn’t this just how we can be with our money, our time, and our talents? We see others around who can benefit from some of what we have, yet we maneuver around so they don’t get more than we want them to. I know I’ve been a “dive bomber” more than I want to admit. I’m reminded of one of the parables Jesus told. He said, 

“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12: 15-21 (NLT)

I can find lots of reasons to store up my own “goods.” I may tell myself that someone else will surely provide, that the need isn’t as real as it appears, or even worry that if I give some of what I have, it will leave me lacking just like my selfish hummingbird or the rich farmer who also wanted it all for themselves. Maybe you can relate. Sure, some concerns are valid, BUT, we can’t let them stop us from doing what we know we should. 

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)

Spoiled sugar water, untimely death, moths and rust and thieves…do you, like I do, see a pattern here? The more we try to tightly hold on to, the more it wastes away. And our hearts? Well, they are left poverty stricken. I wonder if God ever finds our “dive bombing” behavior frustrating too? After all, He provides plenty to go around. Lucky for us, I’m pretty sure He is not as easily aggravated as I am!

I don’t know about you, but I often need reminded, that our wealth doesn’t come from the things of this world. Jesus gave absolutely everything He had for you and me and when the desire of our hearts is to share His gift with others, yes, through our money, our time, and our talents, that’s when we waste nothing and discover we truly have it all. 

“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”
Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)

Joining in with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write to the prompt of “Waste.” Click over to read more offerings. It won’t be a “waste” of your time!

Day 17/31: Dance

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“Kind words are like honey-sweet to the should and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)

Day 17: Dance #writetogether31days

As a seasoned bird watcher (that’s a nice way to say I spend too much time looking out my window), I continue to be mystified and even aggravated when more than one hummingbird arrives at my feeder. Don’t get me wrong, I love to have as many as would come except, sometimes it only takes two before the dance inevitably begins. You know the one I mean….the dance of power.

The stage is set, visitors arrive, like what they find, and decide to stay awhile. No one is anticipating trouble but within seconds they’re accosted by the swift wing-work of “the one.” The one who wants control, that is.  Soon they’re all trying to avoid what’s coming at them. Whirls, flits, twirls, bobs, practiced moves all executed with skill in an attempt to claim victory over the nectar. Never mind that there’s plenty for all, the careening continues until the plan put into motion pays off and the dance ends with all but the one who lead the show denied what was provided for them. 

Sound familiar? It’s so amazing how often animal behavior mimics that of humans.  It reminds me of today’s social media driven world where the same thing can happen. We like lots of others on our feed but it can only take two before it begins…..that dance of power.

For us, the world’s the stage, viewers click on, they like the action, and decide to follow along. The thing is, what one person posts as food for thought, not wanting or expecting trouble, can suddenly be stepped on by the fancy footwork of one who wants to control the thoughts and opinions of others. Soon our own words are spun around in a way we never intended, others begin to cut in and twist them in a way we couldn’t have imagined. A well-choreographed plan to trip us up and take the spotlight off our beliefs and onto their own. More and more it seems as if the rest of us are denied the right that has been provided for everyone to express ourselves. I don’t know about you, but it leaves me more than mystified and aggravated when this happens to me!

So what are we to do? I’ll tell you what my first reaction is…my own dance of power. I want to show them what it means to “tango” with me! Thankfully, the Holy Spirit usually takes the lead at this point and reminds me to instead:

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

“Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:17-18 (NLT)

What I’m learning is that when we’re in step with God, our actions will speak louder than our words ever can. The truth is we are all going to experience times when we’re invited to the dance of power. The question is who or Who will we chose as our partner?

It’s Time

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It’s time…..past time really.  For what you ask?  For taking down my hummingbird feeder for the year.  I’ve been diligently watching and waiting for an empty feeder, however, it hasn’t happened because there is one lone straggler.  I’m not sure why he’s staying behind.  Maybe he feels safe here, maybe it’s my special nectar recipe he’s become accustomed to, or maybe he feels weak and needs to build up his strength for the long trip that awaits him.  Whatever the reason, he’s here, he’s hungry, and I’m doing my best to help him prepare to be on his way.

I too, am a lingerer.  To me, the biggest benefit of retirement so far has been being able to take my mornings slowly.  I relish leisurely sipping my coffee, nectar if you will, and then refilling my cup as many times as I want.  Casually remaining in my PJ’s instead of quickly getting dressed is refreshing.    I’ve dreamed of this languid life and staying behind while the rest of the world rushes off is a great gift.  Maybe my hummingbird friend has discovered this too.

There’s a danger to being a lingerer though.  For the hummingbird, tarrying can literally mean life or death.  For me, the peril is the life or death of my dreams. Living a fulfilling, meaningful life or dying in my procrastination and hesitation.  I have an inner creative, kooky side but for most of my life I’ve stifled the ideas and plans that have emerged from that part of me.  I vacillate and put off acting on them letting opportunities and experiences flitter away.  Oh, I develop those ideas in my mind.  I spend time with them but when it comes to taking off with them, I linger.  Fear shouts that I will look foolish, complacency reminds me that change is hard, and insecurity whispers that I’m not good enough.  I remain hungry for the journey I could have and should have taken.

For the first time in many, many years I have the opportunity to pursue some of those postponed dreams and create some new ones, too.  I’ve remained at “the feeder” long enough. God has gifted me with what I need and my life experiences have taught and prepared me to move ahead.  With the help and support of those around me and lots of prayer, it’s time….past time really, for me to be on my way and fly!