Hummingbirds

We are spending our first week in North Carolina with Jeff. He is getting ready for work and I am having my coffee, starting my day. I love my quiet few moments in the morning to wake up, reflect and prepare for the day. We have been here a little more than a day, and already we are moving to the same rhythm we always have. It's as if being apart for two months, knowing we have many more to go, is just an unnoticeable missed step in a complicated dance. I'm thankful for that, but as usual, I am surprised at how completely God has prepared our hearts for this time, and how He has moved our life into this rhythm that makes it easier to endure this time apart.

Yesterday was my first full day here, and a hummingbird flew into the garage of the house we are staying in.  Hummingbirds are so tiny and so busy, whenever I see them, I find myself wishing I was as constant and consistent with my tasks as they are with theirs.  This poor little fella flew around that garage for a good part of the day and couldn't find his way out of the giant door that lead to freedom for him.  Night fell and we noticed him perched at the top of the garage, tired and confused.  He simply didn't know the way out, and inside there was nothing for him. 

My cousin decided that of course the little guy needed help.  Three adults and one hummingbird.  A broom was  put up in the air beside him, which he promptly stepped on to.  Feeling very brilliant for the rescue, we took turns looking at the tired little guy and holding him.  It was a rare privilege to hold such a quick little bird still in my hand.  Deciding it was time to free him, hands open and arms lifted, we waited for him to gratefully fly away.  He lifted off, paused for a moment, and then flew straight back into the garage.  We repeated this "rescue" three times before we realized he was attracted to the light that was on in there.  He is a daytime bird and it was dark outside.  We turned off the light, closed the door, and finally he flew away. 

I've thought a lot about that little bird today.  I've thought about how often my faith is like that little bird.  How lost and confused I feel sometimes, thinking I am going towards the light and security when I am really heading in the wrong direction.  I've thought of God taking me in his hand when I've gotten my own self in trouble; when I'm in the wrong place.  I think about Him gently bringing me out, showing me the way.  Is He as disappointed as I was in the bird when I end up in trouble again.  When I fly to false light; to my own sense of security.  How often I've tried to find my own way out when the hand of the one who sees the whole picture tries gently to hold me and place me in safety.

As a believer, I am a day time girl too.  I know the light.  The true light.  I know the hand to hold onto, the only hand that can safely hold me.  I know that even when he gently sets me in the dark and I don't understand that He is still with me.  I am learning more and more to trust that the light of this world is a false light, and Jesus truly is the only way.  Am I doing enough to be sure that others I try to lead to the true light really see it too?  Do I think it's enough to help them out of the dangerous place and never really notice if they are flying back in?

I feel challenged by that little bird.  Do you?