The Tiny Guard (365 Word: Weak)

As I sat outside on a cool summer morn, I was reminded that little doesn't mean weak and wimpy.
 I know because I was entertained for 20 minutes as I gazed at a fierce, miniature watchmen.

Scarcely a true guard I know...three inches but courageous and tenacious. He is a David among giants; standing up to creatures even 10 times as large as him. I don't even know if this Rufous Hummingbird realizes his potential, or if he has faith or even needs to, but he fights for a  nourishment he deems precious.

Then, he returns over and over to a skinny limb after chasing his adversaries. 

The pint-sized soldier I am talking about.

 And I giggle, not out of disrespect, but out of admiration and with affection...and the fact that I actually doubted (with pride, yuck) that this copper-colored, burnt-orange hummer could teach me anything. I listened with my heart though as God used this little bird to pop my bubble:

1. Before a battle, and in order to endure the battle, one must refresh and fill up on nectar (God's word).

2. During and after a battle, I need to rest in a consistently safe place (In the arms of my Lord, Jesus). Even when I am weak...

3. No matter what God asks me to do, size or talent or strength or weakness won't matter...what matters is fulfilling the purpose God has created me for. God can do what he says he can do. His plans will succeed and I will find satisfaction doing his will.

4.That standing up for what I know to be true and valuable is worth any discomfort or waiting I am experiencing because I know that it won't last forever. I know what awaits me in forever.

Can you relate to any of the above? Do you ever feel too weak, or little or ill-equipped?

      

  Linking up here. Join the storytelling!

The "M" word: Migration

It took us three attempts before we found them. There was still no guarantee and we had to trust a woman's message on a post. A woman we never met. They migrate this way every spring. Hundreds of flocks of Sandhill Cranes. 

Okay...if you are not an avid birder like I am than you won't understand my passion or why I light up when I tell others that hubby and I were lucky enough to see the Aplomado Falcon!

You probably really don't get why my blog's title is migration. Really? Who wants to read about that?

Just stick with me...

Back to the cranes...long-necked, gobblers of corn. At, 9 AM, we arrived at Hart's Basin and there had to have been at least 400 Sandhill Cranes, but probably more. They didn't fly away until 10:45 AM. 

They wait patiently for thermals (I am no scientist, but this translates to an upward current of warm air that these birds use to gain height).  Two cranes, literally, decided it was time to catch the wave, er, I mean current. Somehow they knew when it was time to fly North again. Time to gain height because they were going to have to fly over a very large flat-top mountain (around 11,000 ft).

They fly in a circular pattern together while chattering their crane speak the whole time and it is a beautiful loud.

   

But, how do they know when and where to go?

True, after driving the same highway, well, you just know how to go and maybe when the air feels warm it kind of signals them?

 But, how do they know it is time to fly? Does God speak to them the way He speaks to us? Or is it just instinct?

That's where I am struggling right now, knowing when God is asking me to fly or stay put. Knowing that it isn't my thoughts or desires, but His. I'm not alone in this, right?  

I want to be more confident in hearing His voice, not audibly necessary because I know that doesn't happen a lot. But, He says in His word that His sheep (us) know His voice. Do I? I mean I spend time with the Lord daily and I listen as best I can, but sometimes I wonder if my pride or flesh hear things that aren't really there or from Him.

It just makes you feel like a fool and less confident when you get duped by your own self or the enemy.

As I am attempting this year to say yes to God more, I wonder if my lack of hearing is often fear. An excuse to really just say no.  I know if I do get it wrong that I can be forgiven, that God can steer me back to the right path. Thank goodness!

My migration goal: 

I want to be like the Sandhill Cranes, trusting God with the when and the how.


 

Birdwatching

Two pairs of pants. Three layers of shirts. One heavy down jacket. Thick gloves, hat, binoculars...30 degrees isn't going to stop me from finding some birds!

Yes, this past Monday I went to look for birds. What? Did you just say, "Look outside your window, dummy and you're bound to find them." Ha, ha, cute. True, noted and ignored.