Watching Hummingbirds

We may think it is the fancy toys, exciting play dates, overpriced kids museums that our kids are craving, but really, I think what our kids truly long for is just a moment with us. Tonight Scooby and I sat out the in the garden in the twilight watching the humming birds zip in and around the feeder and hover around us just to see what we were doing. They are such curious birds and are perfect for a curious little boy to get caught up in watching. Scooby was concerned that they were chasing each other away and fighting over the feeder, and he suggested that we teach them to share. After awhile, Scooby crawled into my lap and we quietly waited for one in the tree to land back on the feeder, watching as she darted side to side, up and down and forward and backwards. She had quietly waited until all the excitement around the feeder was gone and finally came over for a long drink.

When Scooby first came out, he squawked and jumped and I had to show him how to be still. Once he saw how the quiet drew the birds back over, he even hushed me for talking too loudly. This moment reminded me of Psalm 23:2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.” I love how being with Scooby teaches me more about my own nature and about my Father who has to literally make me rest. He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:10). While the squawking and jumping was fun, Scooby’s eyes were opened to a whole new world of wonder by trusting me and taking a seat on the bricks. Even better was when he was in my lap and we could whisper secrets about the birds to each other and I could kiss his yellow hair. Lesson learned – I must seek out these moments both with my Father and my boys.