A Tale of Caution

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Watch this video of one of our resident hummingbirds, and we’ll talk afterwards. Make sure to have your sound up.

Ok…..what struck you about sweet little Howard the Hummingbird? Was he content and happy, drinking his sweet nectar in the feeder? Or did he seem nervous, agitated, borderline obsessed?

Howard has declared himself the hummingbird bully of the yard. He will not allow any other birds to come near ‘his’ feeder, will body slam them if they do, and sits there giving himself a neck crick constantly looking back and forth for offenders.

What really struck me as I watch him, is that Howard is not happy with his possession. He hardly drinks, he doesn’t fly much except for his body slamming, and he seems paranoid. I feel sorry for Howard. The possession seems to own him.

So, a cautionary tale for yours and my Monday morning. I pray we can enjoy and use and appreciate the things we own, and not obsess over them.

P.S., as a side note, listen to the happy tweeting birds in the background….a peaceful juxtaposition to poor Howard.

P.S.S., I love Howard….I just wish he could relax a bit and be kind to the other guys. 🙂 Love, Lisa

Reminders

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A tiny, friendly hummingbird looked at me through the window yesterday evening. He didn’t seem particularly afraid as he gazed at me. His small body stayed still as his wings moved with unimaginable speed.

In my mind, I imagined that he was reminding me to fill the front hummingbird feeder, as it is getting low. Such are the thoughts of an animal personifier. 🙂

I am thankful for life’s reminders:

  • My wedding ring to remind me of the best husband in the world
  • Spring flowers after the harsh winter to remind me that God makes all things new, even things I think are past hope.
  • The check engine light so I don’t ignore my trusty car past fixing.
  • Memories of childhood….riding bikes, cartwheels in the yard, reading The Hobbit on repeat, playing badminton in the backyard till dark…to remind me of how to have fun and really relax.
  • My dog dinging his metal food bowl up against his water bowl, to remind me that he needs more food.
  • Memories of all the times God has rescued me through the years, pulled me out of unimaginable pits, to remind me that He is faithful and will never leave me nor forsake me.

So now, I am going to refill the hummingbird feeder.

Enjoy your day and all the little reminders. Love, Lisa

The Ant Who Wouldn’t Give Up

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Ant carrying an elephant

Several days ago, I was privileged to watch an amazing ant for almost an hour. He carried an enormous seed pod that had a larger circumference than his whole body. It was so large that the ant would fall forward with the weight of it as he walked forward.

You would think he would give up, abandon it, and find something else to carry home. But not this ant. He found new ways to walk, turning sideways, inching forward, using the weight of the pod to propel him forward in a sideways manner. On and on, until he had traversed the entire length of our front porch.

I was transfixed. I couldn’t stop watching him and marveling at his progress, his tenacity, his ingenuity. I cheered him on, and vowed to protect him from errant footsteps of dog or man. He was a true inspiration to me in those minutes.

I don’t know where he is now; I finally lost sight of him as he descended the porch to the ground. But his lessons remain in my mind.

-I can do bigger things than I think I can, with God’s strength.

-I can find new ways to do things that are challenging by using my imagination.

-I must never, ever give up.

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” – Proverbs 6:6

“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise; ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.” – Proverbs 30:24-25

“Whatever you do, , work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

Thank you, God, for letting this little ant cross our porch that day. Your creation always speaks clearly and beautifully. Love, Lisa

Watch and Pray

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“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” – Matthew 24 :42-44

This is one of my very favorite songs written by Twila Paris on her album, Beyond a Dream, 1993. Watch, pray, rejoice. Your Savior and Mine is coming. 🙂

Love, Lisa