Sunday I put up two hummingbird feeders—motivated by the discovery that hummingbirds were visiting the patch of catmint in the center of the cul-de-sac in front of our condo.  We don’t see them often around our place, which, because of the abundance of shade, is devoid of flowers.  And, frankly, Michigan is not the hummingbird capital of the world.  East of the Mississippi, there is only one type: the ruby throat.

When we lived in Southern California several years ago, we were spoiled: we’d typically draw six different species to our feeders: Anna’s, Allen’s, Costa’s, Rufous, Calliope, and Black-chinned.  And they were royal entertainment.

In order to be generous, we hung two feeders on the opposite sides of a long patio overhang.  That’s when we discovered the ungenerous nature of these delicate creatures: they don’t like to share if they can help it.  I guess it’s in the genes that when hummers discover a source of food, they stake their claim to it and then spend hours every day chasing away other birds—even, or maybe especially, “birds of a feather.”  Some tried to claim both feeders and raced back and forth each chasing off the “owner” of the other.  We would spend much leisure time watching these wars—often commenting that they would not have to take in so much nectar if they learned to live at peace with each other.

I was surprised one day when I was taking down a feeder to refill it.  One of the brazen little birds came and hovered up to within six inches of my nose, seeming to say “take your hands off my food, buster!”  I could have easily snuffed out its proud little life but instead laughed at its audacity.

Then I realized how much this was like people getting into the face of God, angry at being deprived of that they consider theirs—not seeming to have a clue that without God they would have nothing.  That the bird didn’t understand that a temporary loss would ultimately be gain was also like people and God.  Isn’t it a wonder also that God tolerates our pride and audacity?

Our heavenly Father often takes things away from us in order to give us more—or perhaps end a dependency that’s ultimately harmful for us.  Maybe it’s His way of moving us on to some other area of service.  One thing is sure: we can trust our loving Father to do what is right, even if we don’t understand the way He takes.  It is good to be reminded of this by reading again the words of the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 55:6-11. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that He may have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

See you outdoors!

Dean