Waiting on Hummingbirds
I purchased a hummingbird feeder about two weeks ago. I was enthralled witnessing my colleagues' regular visits from them during our frequent zoom calls. They were beautiful - the hummingbirds - whimsical, flitting in circles, up and down, back and forth - actually quite mesmerizing to the eyes. I often got distracted during our meetings watching their activity. Accordingly, I elected to do what we called "copycat," when I was a child. I marched my happy fingers over to Amazon and ordered a hummingbird feeder. I assembled it, added the necessary nectar to attract the hummingbirds and set it up in a pleasing atmosphere for attraction. It's been two weeks and not a hummingbird in sight ~ with the exception of the ones I originally were inspired by in my colleagues' yard. What happens when the anticipated protocol does not fair in the way originally intended - or even the more, expected? Should one dismantle the apparatus or hold to God's unchanging hand?
I have a pretty large personal reservoir for navigating the unexpected, but there are times that I find my tools inadequate for the challenge that sits before me. These are the times that I believe in my heart that God is the nearest, even though God feels so very far away, and might I even say, unbothered. What does one do when waiting for the hummingbirds of life?
We can learn a lot from this species (visit the link for more). For one, hummingbirds have incredible spatial memory and can recall feeder locations for years, as well as which flowers they've visited. When we are faced with trauma, how might we recall what the Lord has done for us previously to navigate difficulty, and how did He bring us out with a high hand? The hummingbird's brain reflects the activity and utility of the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. We too have hippocampi, and mustn't forget or neglect the blessings of God in the crevices where the odds were insurmountable - and yet God showed up and ushered in the victory.
Additionally, hummingbirds have fast heartbeats, but they also know how to slow the speed for conservation. Before we "pull up" we must remember that we always have the option to cast our anxiety upon the Lord, so that we too can lesson our heartbeat against the people, places and things that do not mean us good. Finally, the flexibility of the hummingbird to flap their wings 60-80 times per second enable their amazing maneuvering for backwards movement and hovering. They have the ability to remain in a place and not move! God that blessed me! Wasn't it Jacob who said that He wasn't going to leave until the Lord blessed him (Genesis 32:26)? Are we willing to wait for the blessing? Are we willing to wait for God to show up? Are we willing to wait for God's hand for the blessing as opposed to our mouth for the cursing?!
I sat on my front porch today. It's highly unusual, as I prefer the back of the home, but for whatever reason, I sat, talking on the phone to a Soror, when low and behold, a hummingbird appeared at the feeder. I was so excited. Just like that, what I'd hoped for, appeared before my eyes, and God allowed me to witness it. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:14); and wait for hummingbirds as well.