Hummingbird lessons

All summer I've been blessed by birds, esp. by a series of hummingbirds. This morning, I was sitting on the back porch journaling when first one and then 2 and then 3 came to the feeder. Usually only one will feed at a time because, for little critters, they are very possessive about their food. But this morning, 2 of them actually shared the feeder (and more surprisingly I got their picture).






Their fast flight from flower to flower and the cautious way they approach the feeder--circling around the deck to be sure there are no dangers lurking reminds me of the way I often act. Like the birds I zip from task to task, barely pausing for a time of refreshment with God. I too can be very cautious about new things.

Once the hummingbirds are satisfied that the 'coast is clear', they zip over to the feeder. Sometimes they hover and sip, but sometimes they will stop, sit on the rim, and really enjoy a refreshing snack. Again, like the 'hummers', I sometimes take just a sip of God's refreshment 'on the fly' instead of sitting down to a nice deep drink of the Living Water.

The little birds teach me something new every time they show up. I hope I can learn to be willing to sit and drink deeply, instead of grabbing a sip as I rush past on my way to another 'task'.

Swim Time

On Saturday we got to babysit Logan while 'mom & dad' went on a date. Earlier in the summer we got a new pool for the grandkids--after discovering that the plastic one we've used for a couple of years had developed a hole or 2. After slathering sun screen on me and esp. on Logan, we climbed into the pool. Since the water had been sitting in the sun all day warming up, it was much more fun that the first time we set it up and filled it with fresh from the hose, cold water.



Logan enjoyed the plastic ducks and little boats in the pool, but the MOST fun of all was tossing them out so Grandpa could pick them up, dust them off and toss them in again to splash Grandma.

Finally one of the ducks ended up too dirty to dust off and Grandpa got a small bucket of water to wash things off, before tossing them back. That turned out to be a new fun game. Logan spent the rest of the swim time dropping the toys into the bucket just outside the pool and fishing them out to drop them back into the pool.

Such simple games to entertain a child. Jesus reminds us to 'become as a little child'. For me, it's a reminder to enjoy the little things and so I don't get so caught up in a goal that I lose sight of what's really important in life.

Too often I set my sights on what I think the end result should be and barge forward without really waiting on God. I'm slowly learning that God's paths aren't always straight lines, but they are more exciting routes.

Hummingbird and Butterfly

Yesterday I spent the morning at the Botanical Gardens. Along the way, I saw this hummingbird going about her business amid the flowers.

In the Butterfly Pavilion, a butterfly came and sat on the bench next to me. He sat and looked at me for awhile, fanning his wings before flying away.

It occured to me that just as each 'critter' has their place in the entirety of Creation, so, too, do each of us have something to contribute. The danger is in seeing our gifts as 'less than' someone else's. In God's sight, we are all important--whether we buzz from flower to flower or just sit fanning our wings.

Fourth of July

Thoughts on the 4th of July--the lectionary readings for today always remind me of the faith that inspired people to come to the New World in the first place. The Old Testament reading today is an especially powerful reminder of our duty: "You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve him and cleave to him, and by his name you shall swear." Dt. 10:20


Native American myth says that they were transported here by the gods to settle and prosper.
The Spanish came to evangelize the entire world so that Jesus would come again.
Catholics came to find a safe place to practice their faith.
The Pilgrims came to form a New Jerusalem so they could worship God as they believed right.

Over the generations other faiths and ethnic groups have come to this country as well, seeking safety for themselves and their families. Of course, with each group, there were those who wanted the gold, or the power, or the glory and used religion as an excuse, but that doesn't negate the real faith and dreams of those who came seeking a religious haven and found it.

The faith and courage of our forebearers is something we should remember along with the lives lost in the attaining and maintaining of the dream of Freedom, Liberty, and Justice for all. Happy Fourth of July!

Grackle update

The baby grackle continues to survive and flies a bit better all the time. She's still hesitant to do more than short flights though and flutters from branch to branch in the tree. But she is growing tail feathers which would help. At least I assume it would help--not being a bird, I don't know.


I hadn't seen her for awhile, but then I saw 'mom' bring her something to eat this morning. Afterward I was able to get a picture of her. If you look in the very center of the picture you can see her little head.


It occurs to me that like the baby grackle we are often hesitant to use our talents and really fly. Like the mother grackle, God keeps encouraging and feeding us until we at last do take off and soar. I think that's something I need to think about in relation to my own work...writing...life...