Today I listened to an incredible message at church about hummingbirds. The pastor spoke about love, and hummingbirds. There was more, but this is what stuck and I had to share my thoughts and reflections. If you have ever spent any time watching these called humming birds miracles fly. You have seen their grace and beauty as they move from flower to flower. The way they seem to hover perfectly still as they drink the nectar is something amazing to watch.
Unexpected Joy
While listening to the message I heard a giggle in my mind and I flashed back almost 20 years to a trailer set in the red sands of rural South Carolina. There was not a lot of green grass in this area there was Muhly grass with grows in abundance in the Pee Dee area of South Carolina. You don’t mow this. You bush hog it. (Think tractor and you have an idea). This was the 48 acre oasis my Mother-in-law had begun to settle herself into. If there was a way for her to grow something green she saw to it. I am not a plant person. I kill artificial plants. Surrounding her home she had plants, flowers, and most importantly hummingbird feeders. She loved to watch from her windows as they came drank from the feeders and her plants. It brought her happiness.
Hummingbird Joy & Strength
I can’t see a hummingbird or their image without thinking of her and the joy that would light up her face. I saw this joy on my Grandmother in law’s face as well. I see that joy on my mother’s face. There is something about hummingbirds that just bring joy and love. It may only be a moment, but it is there, and as with my memories it can last a lifetime.
I mention this because while it looks graceful and effortless, depending on the species the humingbird is beating its wings 720 to 5400 times per minute. We don’t see that part of the beauty. We only see the grace and the results. We don’t see the work that goes into giving us that moment of joy, love, and peace.
Just as with hummingbirds we don’t see the struggles of the people around us. We don’t see how hard they fight daily to move from place to place or from task to task. We see the outside results. Some people seem to do it with an ease and joy that brings light wherever they are. A smile. A kind word. The patience to handle whatever life is throwing at them. Caring for others. Standing in the gap.
God’s Demonstration
These hummingbirds in our lives are just one of God’s ways of demonstrating he is here with us. He gives us the powerful people to show that just as he gives the hummingbird the strength to beat their wings up to 5400 times a minute so they can do what they have been called to do. He is with us to give us the strength to do what he has called us to do. He does this with love. With Joy.
Hummingbirds get sustenance from the nectar of flowers found on their journey, and from people who aid that journey by placing feeders out for a glimpse of their beauty. God does the same for us. He sets us on our journey with all that we need, but also places people in our path to help refresh us on this journey of life.
As many of us spend the last few days of this year celebrating God, the birth of Jesus, family, and friends, take a few moments to reflect on the joy, happiness, love, and strength we all have to continue on this journey. We are all hummingbirds. Enjoy our strength, our journey, and the sustenance and the encounters of life.
shariew 
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