My daughter has always loved animals and has an especially tender heart for the weak and injured. The following is an account in her own words of a recent encounter with a very weak little hummingbird:
“I was out on the back porch cleaning when I heard a buzzing up towards the ceiling. It was a hummingbird clinging to some insulation with its head drooped backwards. I climbed on the freezer and scooped her up. She was barely hanging on. I hurried into the house and mixed up some sugar water in a little bowl as fast as I could with one hand (hummingbird in the other) then rushed back out to feed her. All the while begging her to hold on and feeling for her little heartbeat on my fingers. We made it outside and I sat and gave her a spoonful of food. At first she did nothing but suddenly she started lapping it up like crazy. I sat there feeding her for what seemed like an hour... probably really only 5-10 min. Gracie got to see the little hummer "come to" and fly away. So cool to get to help that beautiful little bird! Thank you Lord!!” – Jillian Roberts
As I read this story, I felt great pride in my daughter for the way she loves and cares for all the people and creatures in her life. I also find that there are some important lessons to be learned from this simple yet profound life event.
Lesson #1: Pay attention to the world around you. The small things are often very important and easy to miss, and yet, they are often the greatest treasures and learning experiences.
Lesson #2: Don’t be too quick to give up on a situation, even if it seems on the surface to be hopeless. God often takes the most unlikely person in the most hopeless of situations and uses it for a miracle that can only be credited to Him. All God requires of us is that we trust Him and that we don’t give up too quickly.
Lesson #3: Making a difference means we must be willing to step (or climb) out of our comfort zone. Climbing up to retrieve a tiny bird and knowing quickly what to do to give it a fighting chance was God-inspired and yet required effort beyond any comfort zone I can imagine. How often do we look the other way when others need our help because it just doesn’t fit into our schedule or our self-determined set of skills to handle a situation? God knows the need and the way to handle it. All He asks is that we be willing and available for Him to work through us. We don’t have to have all the answers but we do have to trust the One who does!
Lesson #4: Our action is our example (positive or negative) to someone else about how we care for others. My granddaughter was incredibly blessed to witness her mother’s gentle but determined “rescue” efforts for that tiny bird. The lesson she learned about compassion will stay with her forever!
Lesson #5: We all reach a point in life where we are like that little hummingbird – exhausted, helpless, and desperate for someone to come along and give us a helping hand, encouraging word, spiritual nourishment, etc. Once we are well enough to “fly” again, we need to be mindful of other “hummingbirds” that we may meet who are in need of a rescue. We need to be ready and willing to provide assistance, sustenance, and encouragement to those we come across who are just barely hanging on so that they can continue their journey to fulfill the purpose that God has for them.
God uses many situations to teach us life lessons. I marvel at the way He used a tiny hummingbird and my daughter’s tender heart to reveal so much about living intentionally and with compassion. If we offer ourselves up as willing servants to the One who can do all things, then great things can be accomplished as we become the Lord’s hands and feet in this world. There are always plenty of “hummingbirds” out there who need a tender touch, a dispensation of compassion, and the grace of a Savior to help them regain their place in life’s journey. Keep your eyes and ears open – you never know when God will have something special for you to do!
Blessings and Peace -- Winnie
