There is a hummingbird nest in the magnolia tree right outside our family room window. In the nest are two hatchings – we estimate they’re a week or so from Momma Hummer teaching them to fly and then they’ll leave the nest never to return.
Today the two little hummers taught me a lesson. A storm has rolled into town and it is bearing down on us in waves of wind and rain. We can hear thunder in the distance. I was praying for the little hummers as the wind rocked the magnolia tree and huge raindrops pelted their nest. No man-made roller coaster has anything on their nest right now! My husband left the room. He can’t watch anymore.
After the first wave of the storm passed, I ran up to the window to check the nest. And what did I see? Two little hummers peaking out! Praise God! They made it through the first wave of the storm. Then the hatchings began to cry and within seconds the mother hummer landed on the branch of a nearby olive tree. As soon as I backed away from the window, she flew to the nest and fed the hatchings during the break in the wind and rain. Her timing was perfect.
A minute later, wave two of the storm hit with strong winds, pelting rain and hail! Smaller than a pea and hail just the same. Ugh! After the hail stopped, I ran up the window and looked out. Two little beaks were still visible. I tell you, this is not for the faint of heart. And that is the lesson the Lord is teaching me. Trusting Him calms the fainting heart.
Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy. Psalm 61:1-3
We are in the midst of another trial and friends comment on our faith, our composure. We don’t see it that way, of course. I can’t speak for my husband, but I do struggle with fear, uncertainty and doubt – not about who God is, but what He will do. The irony is that although I don’t know what He will do – I do know what He is doing. He is doing a work in and through me. He is teaching me to persevere, to trust and to serve in the midst of uncertainty. So many lessons and I’m sure I’ll recognize more as time goes by.
Back to the hummers. What did they teach me specifically? What it means to trust. The wind roared, the rain pelted and the hail rained down. They tucked themselves deep into the nest and road out the storm. As soon as the storm passed, they cried out for Momma Hummer and she immediately came to them and fed them. They had trust in the midst of chaos. They cried out knowing she would come, knowing she would answer. It was just another day in the hummer hood!
The LORD is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalm 28:7
That’s what the hatchings reminded me of – what it means to trust the Lord. He is watching over us in the midst of life’s uncertainties and the storms will pass. He is teaching us to trust Him. We don’t know when or how things will work out, but we do know of the Lord’s faithfulness and His provision. Peace in the midst of conflict. Care and feeding of our souls. Longing to know Him and make Him known. He is teaching us. Reminding us. One day at a time in our neighbor-hood. To His glory.